The Merchant of Venice: Scene Summaries

Act 1 Scene Summaries

Scene 1: In Venice, Antonio, a well-respected merchant, is anxious without knowing exactly why. His friends comfort him, but he dismisses their attempts due to his depressive state. Meanwhile, Bassanio confesses his love for Portia to Antonio and asks for his financial support. Key location: Venice and introduction to main characters: Antonio and Bassanio.
Scene 2: In Belmont, Portia expresses unhappiness about her father’s will, which dictates that her future husband has to pass a test by correctly choosing one of three caskets. Her servant Nerissa lists Portia’s suitors, none of whom impress Portia. Key location: Belmont, introduction to main characters Portia and Nerissa.
Scene 3: In Venice, Bassanio makes the agreement with Shylock – a pound of Antonio’s flesh as a penalty should the loan not be repaid – finalising the bond. This is the first explicit reference to the “pound of flesh”.

Scene 1: The Prince of Morocco arrives as one of Portia’s suitors. He agrees to play the casket game, understanding the risk if he loses. Key character: Prince of Morocco.
Scene 2: Launcelot, Shylock’s servant, decides to leave Shylock for Bassanio. Excellent for exploring Launcelot’s inner thoughts and Shylock from an outside perspective.
Scene 3: Jessica, Shylock’s daughter, tells Launcelot that she’s unhappy living with her father and plans to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian. Foreshadows the elopement of Jessica and her conversion to Christianity.
Scene 4 to Scene 9: The scenes help further the plot around Bassanio’s journey, Jessica’s elopement and the ‘casket game’. The casket game begins.

Scene 1: Shylock learns of Jessica’s elopement and is outraged. He expresses his deep pain through the famous speech ‘Hath not a Jew eyes?’
Scene 2: The casket game concludes with Bassanio choosing the correct casket and winning Portia’s hand. Significant for Bassanio’s victory and his immediate marriage to Portia.
Scene 3-Scene 5: The plots around the moneylending agreement and Jessica’s elopement are furthered.

Scene 1: The trial scene. Shylock refuses Portia’s (disguised as a lawyer) pleas for mercy and insists on claiming his pound of flesh from Antonio. However, Portia turns the tables by noting that the bond only allows for a pound of flesh, not any blood, making it impossible for Shylock to claim his bond without killing Antonio. Shylock is consequently punished under Venetian law. Highlight Portia’s wisdom and mercy and Shylock’s loss.
Scene 2: Newlywed Lorenzo and Jessica are left in charge of Belmont in Portia’s absence.

Scene 1: The final scene illustrates the resolution of all the play’s conflicts. Lorenzo and Jessica enjoy the night of their elopement. Portia and Bassanio are reconciled after the confusion over the ring. Key concepts: Reconciliation, Resolution, and Conclusion.