Merchant of Venice Essay

A rich Jewish moneylender, Shylock is the villain of The Merchant of Venice in that the problem he initiates causes great concern in the community of the city. He insists that Antonio keep his bond and extract a pound of flesh since he has failed to make the three thousand ducats Shylock has loaned to Bassanio on Antonio’s word. When they go to court the duke insists that the charges must be drop, but Shylock will not tolerate it. Antonio is a merchant in Venice. When Bassanio asks him for money to impress Portia, Antonio wants to give it to him but cannot because all of his money is tied up in goods that are being transported by ship to ports where they will be sold. Out of kindness to Bassanio, he agrees to secure any loan Bassanio might get in the marketplace. Bassanio requests that loan from Shylock, a moneylender with whom Antonio is not on the best of terms. Antonio has criticized Shylock for usury, and Shylock, in turn, resents Antonio’s generosity in loaning money out at no†¦ Portia is a wealthy heiress from Belmont grieving over her father’s death and bond over the inherence. When Portia is introduced in the play Bassanio is struck by her beauty and does anything to be with her, but the only way to do that is to choose a casket. Among the three suitors her true love is bassanio.