Merchant of Venice Summary

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Merchant of Venice

In the beginning of the novel of Merchant of Venice, the story starts out with the main character Antonio, who is a merchant. He feels very sad but does not know why. He complains to his friends Solanio and Solario about his depression, but does not know how to explain it. Solanio and Salerio try to cheer him up, but it was no use. Antonio's friend, Bassanio, tells Antonio that he needed money so that he can seek the wealthy Portia's hand in marriage. Antonio then, offers Bassanio 3,000 ducats to help him out.

Currently, Portia is at Belmont, and tells her servant Nerissa that she fears a suitor she dislikes will pursue her hand in marriage. Because of her father's will, the suitor must go through a test, which is to choose the correct chest of three chests (gold, silver, and lead), and then, if correct, he may marry Portia. She doesn't like any of the six suitors that she has been offered, but wishes that Bassanio would come and choose the correct chest. Bassanio convinces the merchant Shylock the Jew to lend him 3000 ducats, with Antonio putting up his