O Mercador de Veneza - William Shakespeare | Resumo do Livro | RoletaDoLivro #056

Summary

In *The Merchant of Venice*, Antonio, a melancholic Venetian merchant, lends financial support to his friend Bassanio, who wishes to court the wealthy Portia. However, they borrow money from the usurer Shylock, who demands a pound of Antonio's flesh if the debt isn't repaid. Meanwhile, Portia's late father set a challenge for her suitors, which Bassanio eventually succeeds in. When Antonio's ships are lost, Shylock demands his bond in court. Disguised as a lawyer, Portia cleverly saves Antonio and turns the tables on Shylock. The play ends with reconciliation, renewed friendships, and Antonio’s fortune restored.

Takeaways

• 😀 Antonio, the Venetian merchant, is inexplicably sad, and his friends try to find out the cause without success.
• 😀 Bassano, a young Venetian and Antonio's close friend, reveals he is in love with Portia, a wealthy woman from Belmont.
• 😀 Antonio decides to help Bassano by taking out a loan from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, offering to risk a pound of his flesh if the loan isn't repaid.
• 😀 Portia is troubled by the test her deceased father created for choosing her suitor, involving three caskets of gold, silver, and lead.
• 😀 The Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Aragon both fail in choosing the correct casket to win Portia's hand in marriage.
• 😀 Shylock becomes enraged after learning his daughter, Jessica, has run away with Lorenzo, a Christian, taking much of his wealth.
• 😀 Bassano travels to Belmont, selects the correct casket (the lead one), and wins Portia's love.
• 😀 Bassano and Gratiano, his friend, promise to never part with the rings given to them by their wives.
• 😀 News arrives that Antonio's ships have sunk, and he is unable to repay the loan to Shylock.
• 😀 Portia and Nerissa, disguised as a lawyer and clerk, use their wit to save Antonio in court, proving Shylock cannot claim the flesh without shedding blood.
• 😀 Shylock is defeated, and as punishment for plotting against a Venetian citizen, his wealth is confiscated, and he is forced to convert to Christianity.
• 😀 After returning to Belmont, Portia and Nerissa confront their husbands about the rings they promised never to part with, leading to reconciliation.
• 😀 Antonio receives news that some of his ships have survived, restoring his fortune and bringing a sense of resolution and renewed friendship.

Q & A

Why is Antonio feeling melancholic at the beginning of the play?

Antonio is inexplicably sad, and his friends, Solanio and Salarino, try to determine the cause but are unable to. The reason for his melancholy is never directly explained in the play.

What is Bassanio's main goal in the play?

Bassanio's main goal is to marry Portia, a wealthy heiress from Belmont. However, he lacks the financial means to compete with other suitors, which leads him to ask Antonio for help.

What condition does Shylock set when lending money to Antonio?

Shylock agrees to lend 3,000 ducats to Antonio but sets a harsh condition: if Antonio fails to repay the loan within three months, Shylock is entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh.

How is Portia's marriage to be decided according to her late father's will?

Portia's father created a challenge for her suitors: they must choose between three boxes—gold, silver, and lead. The suitor who chooses the correct box will win her hand in marriage.

What happens to Shylock when he discovers his daughter has fled?

Shylock is furious when he learns that his daughter, Jessica, has eloped with Lorenzo, a Christian, and stolen a large sum of money and jewels. He vows revenge, particularly against Antonio.

What happens when Bassanio chooses the correct box?

Bassanio chooses the lead box, which contains a portrait of Portia, indicating that he made the right choice. Portia then gives him a ring as a token of her love, asking him to never part with it.

Why do Bassanio and Gratiano return to Venice so quickly?

Bassanio and Gratiano return to Venice urgently after hearing the news that Antonio’s ships have sunk, leaving him unable to repay the loan to Shylock.

How does Portia manage to save Antonio in the courtroom?

Portia, disguised as a lawyer, argues that Shylock can take his pound of flesh, but since the contract does not allow him to shed blood, it is impossible for Shylock to cut the flesh without violating the terms. This defeats Shylock's claim.

What happens to Shylock after he loses the court case?

Shylock is humiliated and punished. His property is confiscated, with half going to the state and the other half to Antonio. Additionally, Shylock is forced to convert to Christianity and leave his wealth to Jessica and Lorenzo upon his death.

What is the significance of the ring plot at the end of the play?

The ring plot revolves around Bassanio and Gratiano, who promised never to part with the rings they received from their wives. At the end of the play, Portia and Nerissa reveal their disguises and confront the men about breaking their promises. This leads to a moment of reconciliation between the couples.