Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

In the melting pot of Venice, currency opens many doors. A multicultural metropolis, Venice welcomes its arms to all – so long as they come prepared for the brutality of the business of trade. Young Bassanio wants to take a gamble for brilliant Portia, the wealthy heiress of Belmont. He is willing to risk all he has to win her hand, but all he has is not enough. In need of extra money to make a proper suit, Bassanio enlists the help of his merchant friend, Antonio, who takes out a loan from Jewish money lender, Shylock, on his behalf. Shylock is an outsider who has suffered persecution for many years, but when he loses his most prized possession – his daughter Jessica – Shylock feels a hurt greater than all that has come before. When Christian merchant Antonio cannot repay his debt, Shylock gets his chance at revenge. Demanding his due, Shylock insists that he be repaid in accordance with his contract: with a pound of flesh. Resourceful Portia takes justice into her own hands, devising a scheme to triumph in the courtroom and save Antonio – but at what cost? With humor and pathos, Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice tells a complex story of mercy and justice, tolerance and intolerance, generosity and greed.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1597
Genres
Comedy, Dark Comedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Venice, 16th century
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, High School, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Bassanio

Lead

Male

Spoken

Portia

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Shylock

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Nerissa

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Jessica

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Gratiano

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Antonio

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Tubal

Featured

Male

Spoken

Duke of Venice

Featured

Male

Spoken

The Prince of Morocco

Featured

Male

Non-singer

The Prince of Arragon

Featured

Male

Spoken

Launcelot Gobbo

Featured

Male

Spoken

Old Gobbo

Featured

Male

Spoken

Solanio

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Salerio

Featured

Male

Spoken

Lorenzo

Featured

Male

Spoken

Balthazar

Featured

Male

Spoken

Tubal

Featured

Male

Spoken

Leonardo

Featured

Male

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher