The Merchant of Venice Story in English | Stories for Teenagers | @EnglishFairyTales

Summary

In the city of Venice, a wealthy merchant named Antonio finds himself in a dire situation when his ships are lost at sea. His friend Bassanio, needing funds for his wedding, takes a loan from the cunning Shylock under a harsh contract. When Antonio is unable to repay, Shylock demands his pound of flesh. A twist of fate and the intervention of the wise Portia, disguised as a lawyer, save Antonio and expose Shylock's deceit. The story unfolds with themes of friendship, deception, and justice, culminating in a surprising revelation that all is not lost for Antonio.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The story is set in Venice and revolves around a wealthy merchant named Antonio.
• 🤝 Antonio's friend Bassanio is in need of a large sum of money for his upcoming wedding and to help the poor.
• 💸 Antonio does not have the money Bassanio needs, but he is willing to borrow it from the cunning Shylock to help his friend.
• 📜 Antonio signs a dangerous contract with Shylock, which could potentially cost him everything if he cannot repay the loan on time.
• 💍 Bassanio purchases a ring for his bride, Portia, and they share their wealth by hosting a feast and giving gifts to the poor.
• 🌊 A storm at sea threatens Antonio's ability to repay Shylock, putting him in a precarious situation.
• 👥 Portia disguises herself as a lawyer to defend Antonio in court against Shylock's claim.
• 📑 The court case reveals that Shylock manipulated the contract and is penalized for his dishonesty.
• 🚢 Despite initial fears, Antonio's ships survive the storm and are expected to arrive safely, preserving his wealth.
• 🎉 The story concludes with a celebration of Bassanio and Portia's marriage, and Antonio's fortunes are restored.

Q & A

Who is the wealthy merchant in the city of Venice?

Antonio is the wealthy merchant in the city of Venice.

What is the conflict between Antonio and Shylock?

The conflict arises when Antonio is unable to repay a loan of 3,000 ducats to Shylock on time, which according to their contract, means Shylock can take all of Antonio's property.

How does Bassanio resolve his financial issue for the wedding?

Bassanio resolves his financial issue by borrowing 3,000 ducats from Antonio, who agrees to lend the money without interest but with the condition that if not repaid within three months, all of Bassanio's property will belong to Antonio.

Why does Shylock insist on the contract being honored despite the unfair terms?

Shylock insists on the contract being honored because he has a grudge against Antonio and sees this as an opportunity to ruin him and take his property.

Who comes to Antonio's defense in court?

Portia, disguised as a lawyer, comes to Antonio's defense in court.

What is the outcome of the court case?

The court initially rules in favor of Shylock, but Portia cleverly argues that since the contract includes all of Antonio's losses, Shylock must also bear the losses from Antonio's ships, which were lost at sea. Shylock refuses, and the court then bars him from entering into any further contracts until his dealings are investigated.

What is the significance of the storm at sea?

The storm at sea is significant because it leads to the loss of Antonio's ships, which is used as a turning point in the court case to argue that Shylock must bear the losses as per the contract terms.

Why does Bassanio not worry about Antonio's ability to repay the loan after the court case?

Bassanio does not worry because he is confident that Antonio's ships will return from Africa with plenty of ducats to repay the loan.

How does Portia help Antonio beyond the court case?

Portia reveals that she intentionally showed only half of the message about the storm to the court, which led to the favorable outcome for Antonio. She then shares the rest of the message, indicating that Antonio's ships and goods are safe and will arrive soon.

What is the relationship between Bassanio and Antonio?

Bassanio and Antonio are close friends, with Antonio often helping Bassanio financially and Bassanio showing concern for Antonio's well-being.

What is the moral lesson of the story?

The moral lesson of the story is that one should not enter into deals or make promises without considering the consequences, and that fairness and integrity are important in all business dealings.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Antonio's Debt and Bassanio's Dilemma

In the first paragraph, we are introduced to Antonio, a wealthy merchant in Venice, who is facing a threat to his business due to an unpaid debt. Antonio's friend Bassanio steps in to save Antonio's shop by paying off the debt with money owed to him by another character, Mercenio. Bassanio is also dealing with his own financial issues as he needs a substantial sum for his upcoming wedding to a woman named Porsha. Despite his own financial constraints, Antonio agrees to lend Bassanio the needed 3000 ducats, but with a risky clause that if he cannot repay within three months, all of Antonio's possessions will go to the lender. The paragraph ends with Bassanio's concern for Antonio's situation.

05:02

💍 Bassanio's Generous Wedding and Antonio's Legal Trouble

The second paragraph describes Bassanio's wedding to Porsha, which is made possible by Antonio's financial assistance. The couple is portrayed as generous, sharing their wealth with the poor by hosting a feast and giving gifts. However, Antonio encounters legal trouble when he is summoned to court for not returning the money to Shylock, the lender. Antonio is arrested, and it is revealed that his ships have been lost at sea due to a storm, which complicates his ability to repay the debt. The paragraph concludes with Bassanio's decision to support Antonio in court, showing their strong bond of friendship.

10:03

🏛 Courtroom Battle and a Twist of Fate

In the third paragraph, the story unfolds in court where Shylock insists on the terms of the contract, which would give him all of Antonio's possessions if the debt is not repaid. The court initially sides with Shylock, but the tide turns when a lawyer, later revealed to be Portia, presents a loophole in the contract that includes Antonio's losses at sea. Shylock is unwilling to accept this part of the deal, leading the court to find in favor of Antonio. The paragraph concludes with the revelation that Antonio's ships were not lost after all, and that the storm did not affect them. The story ends on a high note with Bassanio praising his wife, Portia, for her wisdom and bravery.

Keywords

💡Merchant

A merchant is a person who trades in goods or services, typically on a large scale. In the script, Antonio is a wealthy merchant who engages in business transactions, including lending money and dealing with contracts, which is central to the story's plot.

💡Debt

Debt refers to an amount of money borrowed by one party from another. It is a crucial element in the video as Antonio's inability to repay a debt leads to a significant conflict and the central legal dispute.

💡Contract

A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties that outlines obligations and duties. In the video, contracts play a pivotal role, as they are the basis for the legal and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.

💡Wedding

A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. The script revolves around Bassanio's wedding preparations, which are a catalyst for the financial transactions and the subsequent legal troubles that Antonio encounters.

💡Ducat

A ducat is a gold coin that was widely used as a medium of exchange in Europe. In the video, ducats serve as the currency in which debts and transactions are measured, highlighting the financial stakes of the characters' agreements.

💡Legal Proceedings

Legal proceedings refer to the process of carrying out the business of a law court. The script involves a court case where the legality and morality of a contract are contested, which is a key part of the narrative's climax.

💡Honor

Honor, in the context of the video, refers to the integrity and honesty expected in upholding agreements. The characters often refer to 'a deal is a deal' and 'a promise is a promise,' which underscores the theme of trust and reputation in business and personal relationships.

💡Shipment

A shipment is a consignment of goods being transported, typically by sea. Antonio's fortune is tied to his ships, and the fate of these shipments becomes a pivotal point in the story, affecting the outcome of the legal dispute.

💡Storm

A storm is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually heavy rain, snow, or sleet. In the video, a storm at sea is used as a plot device to create a crisis that threatens Antonio's ability to fulfill his financial obligations.

💡Intelligence

Intelligence, in this context, refers to the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think critically about complex issues. Portia's intelligence is a key factor in resolving the legal predicament faced by Antonio and Bassanio.

💡Charity

Charity is the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need. Bassanio and Porsha's act of charity by hosting a feast and giving gifts to the poor reflects their noble character and is a significant aspect of their wedding celebration.

Highlights

Antonio, a wealthy merchant of Venice, is faced with a debt crisis that threatens his business.

Bassanio, a friend of Antonio, is in urgent need of a large sum of money for his upcoming wedding.

Antonio pledges his valuable shop as collateral for a loan to help Bassanio.

Mercenio intervenes, paying off Antonio's debt to save his shop.

Bassanio's financial predicament worsens as he is unable to receive expected funds for five months.

Antonio offers to lend Bassanio the needed 3,000 ducats, despite not having the funds immediately.

Shylock, a moneylender, offers Bassanio a loan with harsh terms, which Antonio reluctantly agrees to.

Antonio's ships are expected to return in three months, providing the means to repay the loan.

Bassanio and his bride, Porsha, share their wealth with the poor, demonstrating their generosity.

Antonio faces legal action from Shylock for failing to repay the loan on time.

A court trial ensues, where Shylock demands enforcement of the contract terms.

Portia, disguised as a lawyer, defends Antonio and turns the tables on Shylock.

The court rules that Shylock must bear Antonio's losses, including those from a storm at sea.

Shylock is barred from further contracts due to his unfair practices.

Antonio is led to believe his ships are lost, only to find out it was a ruse to teach Shylock a lesson.

Portia's clever strategy saves Antonio from financial ruin and preserves his honor.

Bassanio and Porsha's happiness is secured, and Antonio's friendship with them is strengthened.

The story concludes with a celebration of wisdom, integrity, and the triumph of kindness over greed.

Transcripts

[Music]

in the beautiful city of venice

there lived a wealthy merchant called

antonio

[Music]

hey antonio

bassanio it has been so long how are the

preparations for the wedding going

sir i will repay the debt

tomorrow i promise

a deal is a deal and a promise is a

promise

you promised to pay the money by today

and if you failed to pay up you gave

your word to give me your shop you

didn't pay the money so your shop is

mine

my loan is only 50 ducats

my shop is way more expensive than that

you should have thought of that before

pledging your shop to me now get out of

the way

wait

here fifty do cats that mercenio owes

you

no why should i take your money mercena

was supposed to pay up by today

and today is not over it is

still hours before sundown so here is

the money leave a shop alone or else i

shall complain about you to the court

he is

antonio

thank you so much antonio

i shall certainly pay you back tomorrow

i promise

i am sure of that mursanio

antonio you are something that evil

must hate you

forget about him

tell me how are your wedding

preparations going on

all right

they are going good thank you

is there a problem bassanio

no everything is fine

you and i are friends tell me what is

wrong

i was expecting some money this week but

it won't come for the next five months

at least and i have already made

purchases that i have to pay up for

how much

3 000 due cats

that is a lot of money

i know i had purchased a ring for

porsche and we wanted to have a feast

for 500 poor and offer them gifts for

our wedding but now

i don't know what to do

that is so noble bassanio

i would have gladly lent you the money

but

even i do not have three thousand ducats

at this moment

but

my ships will come back in three months

and i shall have thousands of ducats

then

by then it will be too late the wedding

is next week

i might have an idea come with me

oh that antonio

[Music]

had he not interfered i would have got a

shop worth 500 ducats for 52 cats

always meddling in my affairs

you will pay antonio someday you will

pay

[Music]

no antonio i won't let you take money

from you know what a cheat he is

[Music]

it is just a matter of three months

bassanio once all my ships are back i

shall be able to repay the three

thousand cuts easily

[Music]

antonio

i need some money

you

you who goes about donating money to

ruin my business you need money

you are unfair and you know it i

need three thousand two cats

three thousand ducats

this is my chance to ruin antonio and

get back at him for all the times he has

insulted me and spoiled my plans

fine i shall give you the money at no

interest

but if you cannot repay the entire

amount within three months

everything that belongs to you

shall become mine deal

this is downright cheating

antonio let's go

[Music]

don't worry bassanio my ships will be

back in three months they have already

started from africa

we have nothing to worry about

you need the money now friend

fine i agree

bassanio was worried for antonio

he knew could not be trusted but

antonio was confident gave him

the three thousand ducats and bassanio

could now go ahead with his plans for

his wedding

bassanio was getting married to a

beautiful wise and intelligent maiden

called porsche

he gave porsha the beautiful ring he

wanted her to have

and together porsha and bassanio shared

their wealth with the poor

they hosted a feast for them and gave

them gifts of charity

thank you antonio none of this would

have been possible without you

come on bassanio

how could i not help such a noble

celebration of a wedding

no

really porsha antonio risked everything

he has with that evil just to

get us three thousand ducats for the

wedding

what

and you let him do it bassanio

don't worry both of you once my ship's

returned from sea i shall have plenty of

money

months rolled by

bassanio and porsha were very happy

together and antonio was like family to

them soon it was time for antonio to

return shylock's money

master there is a message from the court

for you

what in the world

what is it

well

has asked me to appear in the

court tomorrow where i shall be tried

for not returning his money

is it time already

i am sure we have at least 10 more days

before the date of returning the money

forgive me master but

might i say something

certainly rebus what is it

sir lord has been known to

change dates in his contracts

he might have changed the date from 18

to 8.

[Music]

what

wait

you cannot arrest him like that

he has to appear in the court tomorrow

and lord thunders wants him

arrested so that he does not run away

antonio

[Music]

oh

what happened

there was a storm in the sea

antonio's ships

yes the ships but will not wait

another day

and with this message

my friend is doomed no i will not let

antonio come to any harm

go to him besanio and do not tell him

about the storm say nothing it is time

that has taught a lesson

i shall come to court myself as

antonio's lawyer

you

how just be with your friend and don't

tell him anything

don't worry i won't let anything bad

happen to him all right

i trust you

the next day antonio was brought to the

court before the magistrate

gentlemen

what do we have here

lord thunders versus antonio

bacillus

let the proceedings begin

[Music]

well the case is quite simple your honor

antonio owes me three thousand ducats

at the time that i lent the money to him

he promised me

if he didn't return the money by today

everything that belongs to him will be

combined

he has cheated on the date of the

contract sir

quiet mr thunders would you please show

me the contract

[Music]

here it is your honor

but surely mr thunders mr antonio's

property is worth much more than three

thousand ducats why don't you just take

some of it that covers the amount

i am sorry sir antonio himself has

signed the contract a deal is a deal a

promise is a promise

mr antonio

how could you even sign such a

preposterous deal

mr thunder's reconsider this is inhuman

this your honor is perfectly legal and

all i ask is for antonio to honor a

legally signed contract and honor his

word

mr thunders is right your honor

mr antonio must honor the contract he

himself signed

mr thunders as per the contract if mr

antonio does not pay the required amount

today

everything that belongs to him will

become yours right

that is right

and you do not wish to reconsider

not at all a deal is a deal a promise is

a promise very well

your honor with that all of mr antonio's

losses at sea shall belong to mr

thunders and shall be borne by him

losses at sea

yes

see for yourself

this arrived last evening

there has been a huge storm on the coast

of the mediterranean sea from where his

ships were to arrive

you will have to bear the losses which

might be to the tune of 20 000 to cats

of course not never

when you say you shall own everything

that belongs to mr antonio in all

fairness it also means all the profits

property and the losses that belong to

mr antonio this is cheating your honor a

deal is a deal a promise is a promise

[Music]

the lawyer is right you will have to

bear all of mr antonio's losses

i forgive him the three thousand ducats

i do not want my money back or the

contract

[Music]

enough mr thunders your behavior proves

that you deliberately indulged in a

contract which you knew to be unfair

this puts a serious question mark on

your honesty and integrity

therefore

this court bars you from entering into

any further contracts till all your

dealings are thoroughly investigated

take him away officers

[Music]

all my ships are lost at sea

there was a storm in the sea just come

home with me antonio you need some rest

antonio was so saddened to hear of his

ships lost at sea

bassanio took him home

i have lost all my ships

yes i am afraid

why are you laughing

give me a minute antonio

brussanio who was the lawyer who came to

the court to defend

me you want to meet him

here he she is

portia

that was you

yes

and sorry about your loss

what is wrong with the two of you why

are you laughing i lost all my ships

no

you did not lose anything

a terrible storm struck the coast of the

mediterranean sea

at 1500 hours

this is only half the message the other

half is here

but do not worry antonio

we got out of the area

at 100 hours much before the storm

arrived

all your ships and goods are safe

your ships will arrive in venice by the

20th of this month

but

we showed only half the message to

the magistrate too wanted to teach

lesson and so he said nothing

when i showed only page one of

the message

never again will dare to say

a deal is a deal a promise is a promise

[Music]

portia

my friend bassanio is a lucky lucky man

to have married a wise intelligent brave

and righteous woman like you

thank you

[Music]

you