The Merchant of Venice is a 16th century written by William Shakespeare. Merchant of Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a jewish moneylender, Shylock, it is belived to have written between 1596 and 1599

1. Pg & research department of english
ABINAYA .A
ASST. PROF. OF ENGLISH

3. AUTHOR INTRODUCTION
• Shakespeare was born on
23rd April, 1564 at Stratford
on Avon. His father name
John Shakespeare, was a
cleaver dealer in agricultural
products. W.Shakespeare was
the third child. He wrote 37
plays and 154 sonnets.

4. Sources of the play
• There are two story & two episodes in the play
The Bond story & the casket story.
Lorenzo – Jessica episode and the Ring
episode.
• The powerful characterisation of portia and
shylock and the poetry and the humour are
shakespeare’s own.

5. Character list
MERCHART OF VENICE
ANTONIO – Hero of the play
BASSANIO - Antonio’s close
friend.
SOLANIO
SALARINO
GRATIANO
LORENZO
SHYLOCK – A Jewish Money
lender.
JESSICA- Shylock daughter
BELMONT
PORTIA- she is a beautiful,
intelligent and quick-witted
Nerissa – Maid

6. Act I scene I
(CONVERSATION BETWEEN)
ANTONIO & HIS FRIENDS
• Antonio is a rich &
popular merchant of
venice.
• Antonio talking with his
friends Salarino &
Salanio.
• Bassanio & Gratiano are
on the stage.

7. Act i scene ii
PORTIAis talking with NERISSA(Maid)
• Portia is very depressed, she is
worried about the strange
condition in her father’s will.
• Her father has left three caskets.
One is gold, second one is silver,
three one is lead. The suitor who
choose the particular casket will
win her.
• Nerissa asks portia’s opinion
about the various suitors
participated in the copetition
already.

8. Cont…
Neapolitan prince – always talks of his horse
Palatine – always sad and serious weeping
philospher.
French Lord, Moniseur Le Bon - no personality.
Falcon bridge – young baron of England is
handsome but foolish.
Scottish Lord – coward
Duke of saxony’s nephew – Drunkyard person.
• Portia says that Bassanio from venice is the best
young man who deserves a fair lady.

9. ACT I SCENE III
shylock, antonio & bassanio
• Shylock is a wealthy Jewish
money lender.
• Shylock hates Antonio
because he was a christian,
lend money people without
interest & he abuses him in
public places.
• He asks shylock to lend
3000 ducats to Bassanio on
his personal security.

10. Cont…
• Shylock says that he is ready to lend the money
to Antonio for three months free of interest.
• Shylock says he should sigh a bond. If it fails
to pay back the money in time, he will cut a
pound of flesh from any part of his body.
• Antonio agrees to sigh the contract.

11. Conclusion
• The Merchant of Venice (Act-I Scene- I) Clearly explain
the readers about the consequences like.
 Antonio is a rich merchant whose ships are voyaging
across the oceans
• (Act-I Scence- II)
Portia father’s condition prevents her from choosing
her husband as she wishes. Her father has left three
caskets. Who choose a particular casket will win her.
• (Act-I Scence-III)
Shylock trickness & Antiono agrees to sigh the
contract.

12. Thank you