Merchant of Venice Acts 1 - 3

ACT 1

Scene 1 - Bassanio asks Antonio to help him get to Belmont to see Portia.

Scene 2 - Portia is frustrated at the fact that she can't choose her own husband, for her husband will be chosen through a test. (Choosing correctly between 3 small chests)

Scene 3 - Bassanio borrows 3000 ducats from Shylock, a jewish moneylender. Shylock hated Antonio but agreed only if Antonio guaranteed a pound of his own flesh if his debt wasn't payed.

ACT 2

Scene 1 - The Prince of Morocco arrives in Belmont, and is told the terms of the contest by Portia.

Scene 2 - Lancelet Gobbo, Shylock's servant, goes to Bassanio and serves him instead. Gratiano also joins Bassanio on his trip to Belmont.

Scene 3 - Jessica, Shylock's daughter, says goodbye to Lancelet and gives him a letter for Lorenzo, whom Jessica intends to marry.

Scene 4 - Lorenzo, Gratiano, Solanio, and Salarino try to arrange a masque for Bassanio's dinner that night. Lancelet gives Lorenzo Jessica's letter, indicating her plans.

Scene 5 - Shylock is invited to Bassanio's dinner and grudgingly accepts, and commands Jessica to guard their house. Lancelet also tells Jessica that Lorenzo will be coming to her that night.

Scene 6 - Jessica goes off with Lorenzo to be married. Antonio announces that Bassanio is about to set sail for Belmont.

Scene 7 - The Prince of Morocco attempts to choose the right chest to win Portia. He picks the gold one, which is wrong, and leaves in disappointment.

Scene 8 - Solanio and Salarino discuss the latest news: Shylock's torment over the loss of his daughter and the treasures she took; the destruction of an Italian ship; Antonio's sadness at the departure of Bassanio.

Scene 9 - The Prince of Arragon attempts to win Portia's heart by choosing the silver chest. It turns out to be wrong too, and so he leaves. A messenger arrives announcing the arrival of a splendid envoy from another suitor. Nerissa prays it's Bassanio.

ACT 3

Scene 1 - Solanio and Salarino learned that the ship that was wrecked was Antonio's. Shylock becomes angry at Jessica's flight, and declares his intention to get 1 pound of Antonio's flesh. Tubal tells Shylock about Jessica's free spending and Antonio's losses. Shylock sends Tubal to begin arresting Antonio.

Scene 2 - Bassanio picks the right chest, and is given a ring by Portia as a symbol of their love. Gratiano also plans to marry Nerissa. Salerio, Lorenzo, and Jessica arrive with the news of Antonio's losses and his possible suffering at Shylock's hands. Portia tells Bassanio to leave immediately after they marry, to save Antonio.

Scene 3 - Antonio asks Shylock to listen to him but Shylock insists on the terms of the bond to push through. Antonio is resigned to death provided Bassanio will be a witness.

Scene 4 - Portia entrusts her house to Lorenzo while she and Nerissa pretend to leave for a monastery. She sends a messenger to Dr. Bellario of Padua and tells Nerissa that they will follow their husbands to Venice disguised as men.

Scene 5 - Lancelet, the clown, makes jokes at the expense of Jessica and then Lorenzo. Jessica praises Portia and jokes with Lorenzo.

Source: The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (Folger Shakespeare Library)