Antonio (merchant) Shylock (wealthy Jew) Bassanio (friend of Antonio) Portia (single rich woman)
Summary
The Merchant of Venice is a comedy written by Shakespeare written in either 1596 or 1597. Antonio, a merchant is requested to assist his friend Bassanio in Bassanio's attempt to court a beautiful young woman named Portia. Bassanio needed more money to impress her and to make his journey to see her. Antonio looks to a banker named Shylock to loan Bassanio money until Antonio's ships return. Shylock is a Jewish man who happens to hate Christians and Antonio. Shylock's hatred in Antonio lies in the fact that Antonio takes Shylock's business away by offering interest free loans to potential customers. Finally Shylock agrees to a deal; Three thousand Ducats. If this amount was not returned Antonio would owe Shylock a pound of Antonio's flesh. Through the play the struggle continues to escalate as the various subplots develop.
Key Speeches
1. "I thank my fortune for it, my ventures are not in one bottom trusted. Nor to one place, not is my whole estate, upon the fortune of this present year." -Antonio tells both Salerio and Solanio that his wealth is not dependent upon fate of one ship, and not solely upon his business interests for that year.
2. "Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyes. And laugh like parrots at a bad-piper, and other of such vinegar aspect. They they'll not show their teeth in way of smile." -Commenting on Antonio's depressed state of mind, Solanio comes to the conclusion that mother nature makes some "strange fellows" who will laugh no matter what, and others who will smile at nothing."
3. "You have too much respect upon the world: They lose it that do buy it with much care." -Gratiano, a jolly fellow advises Antonio to not concern himself so much with his business affairs, as those who worry too much about the worldly goods get no pleasure from them.