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Scenes
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Scenes
Scenes at a glance
The Merchant of Venice has 20 scenes.
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Scenes20 items
Act 1, Scene 1 – Venice. A Street.
Antonio, a wealthy Venetian merchant, tells his friends he feels inexplicably sad. His friends Salarino and Solanio suggest his mood comes from worrying about his ships at sea, bu…
Act 1, Scene 2 – Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.
In Belmont, Portia complains to her maid Nerissa that she has no control over her own life because her late father's will requires any man who wants to marry her to choose correct…
Act 1, Scene 3 – Venice. A Public Place.
Bassanio approaches Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to borrow three thousand ducats for three months, with Antonio's credit as the guarantee.
Act 2, Scene 1 – Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.
The Prince of Morocco arrives in Belmont and immediately asks Portia not to judge him by his dark skin. Portia tells him the rules of the casket test apply equally to all suitors…
Act 2, Scene 2 – Venice. A Street.
Launcelot Gobbo, a clown who works for Shylock, debates with himself whether to run away from his master. His conscience and a devil figure argue inside his head, and the devil wi…
Act 2, Scene 3 – Venice. A Room in Shylock's House.
Jessica, Shylock's daughter, says goodbye to Launcelot, who is leaving to work for Bassanio. She gives him a letter for Lorenzo and admits she is ashamed of being her father's dau…
Act 2, Scene 4 – Venice. A Street.
Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salerio, and Solanio are planning the masque for that evening. Launcelot arrives with Jessica's letter, and Lorenzo reads it.
Act 2, Scene 5 – Venice. Before Shylock's House.
Shylock is about to leave for Bassanio's dinner, which he dislikes but will attend anyway. He tells Jessica to lock up the house and not look out at the masque going on in the str…
Act 2, Scene 6 – Venice. Before Shylock's House.
Gratiano and Salerio wait outside Shylock's house for Lorenzo, who arrives late. Jessica appears above, dressed as a boy, and throws down a box of gold and jewels before climbing…
Act 2, Scene 7 – Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.
The Prince of Morocco chooses between the gold, silver, and lead caskets to win Portia's hand. He reasons through each one and picks gold, believing a prize like Portia must be in…
Act 2, Scene 8 – Venice. A Street.
Solanio and Salarino catch each other up on two pieces of news: Shylock has discovered Jessica's elopement and is furious about losing both his daughter and his money, and Bassani…
Act 2, Scene 9 – Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.
The Prince of Arragon takes his turn at the casket test. He reasons his way to the silver casket, convinced he deserves what many men desire, and finds a portrait of a fool inside.
Act 3, Scene 1 – Venice. A Street.
The news about Antonio's ships is now confirmed as bad. Shylock, still raw over Jessica's flight, runs into Solanio and Salarino, who taunt him.
Act 3, Scene 2 – Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.
Bassanio faces the casket test. Portia tries to delay him because she's already in love with him and fears he'll fail.
Act 3, Scene 3 – Venice. A Street.
Antonio is now under arrest and being led through the streets by a jailer. He tries to speak to Shylock, but Shylock refuses to hear him and insists on the bond.
Act 3, Scene 4 – Belmont. A Room in Portia's House.
With Bassanio and Gratiano gone to Venice to help Antonio, Portia tells Lorenzo she is leaving Belmont in his care. She claims she and Nerissa will stay in a monastery until their…
Act 3, Scene 5 – Belmont. A Garden.
Launcelot jokes with Jessica that she is damned because of her Jewish father, then half-seriously suggests her only hope is that Shylock is not her real father.
Act 4, Scene 1 – Venice. A Court of Justice.
The trial of Antonio takes place before the Duke of Venice. Shylock refuses every offer of money and insists on his pound of flesh.
Act 4, Scene 2 – Venice. A Street.
Portia sends Gratiano to deliver the deed of gift to Shylock for signing. Nerissa, still disguised, manages to get Gratiano to give her his ring as well, using the same logic Port…
Act 5, Scene 1 – Belmont. Avenue to Portia's House.
Lorenzo and Jessica share a romantic night in Belmont while waiting for the others. A messenger brings news that Portia is on her way home, then another that Bassanio is close beh…
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