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Antonio, the merchant in The Merchant of Venice, secures a loan from Shylock for his friend Bassanio, who seeks to court Portia.

Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, recalls past insults from Antonio and, instead of asking interest on the loan, asks instead—in what he calls a “merry sport”—that if the loan is not repaid, Antonio will owe a pound of his own flesh.

Bassanio sails to Belmont, where the wealthy heiress Portia is being courted by suitors from around the world. Her father’s will requires that the successful suitor solve a riddle involving chests of gold, silver, and lead. Where others have failed, Bassanio succeeds by selecting the right chest. Portia marries Bassanio; her waiting woman, Nerissa, marries his friend Gratiano.

Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, has eloped with Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo, taking her father’s money with her. Shylock is devastated.

When Antonio cannot repay the loan, Shylock demands the pound of flesh. When the news reaches Belmont, Bassanio returns to Venice.

Portia and Nerissa also travel to Venice, disguised as a lawyer and his clerk. Portia uses the law to defeat Shylock and rescue Antonio.

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The courtroom scene in The Merchant of Venice is my favorite because it’s powerful and thought-provoking. Shylock, determined to claim his pound of flesh from Antonio, faces off against Portia, who enters disguised as a lawyer. Her speech on mercy is unforgettable—it challenges the idea that justice alone is enough, urging compassion as a higher virtue.

When Shylock refuses, Portia’s clever twist allows him the flesh but forbids any blood, turning his victory into defeat.

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He invented over 1,700 words! Some of these include words we still use today, like bedroom, gossip, lonely, and swagger. He often combined existing words, changed nouns into verbs, or just made up completely new ones to fit the emotion or action he wanted to convey in his plays. So, in a way, every time we use these words, we’re keeping a bit of Shakespeare’s creativity alive!

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The Merchant of Venice talks about justice, mercy, and prejudice, showing how people can treat others unfairly just for being different. Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, isn’t just a bad guy—he’s angry because of all the hate he’s faced, which makes him want revenge.

When Portia talks about mercy being better than strict justice, it reminds us that just following the law isn’t always enough; sometimes we need kindness too. The ending makes us wonder if true justice means balancing punishment with compassion. Shakespeare’s ideas still matter today, making us think about what fairness really means

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In a more hopeful ending for The Merchant of Venice, the courtroom scene takes a different turn. Instead of Shylock demanding his pound of flesh, Portia speaks to him about kindness and understanding. She encourages him to think about his own pain and how holding onto hate only makes things worse.

Shylock starts to realize that seeking revenge isn't the answer. He decides to forgive Antonio, which surprises everyone in the court. Portia then suggests that they all come together to create a new community where everyone is accepted, no matter their differences.

Shylock becomes a leader for the rights of all people who have been treated unfairly, and he and Antonio form an unexpected friendship. The play ends with a celebration of unity, showing that when people work together with love and compassion, they can make real change. This ending highlights the power of forgiveness and kindness in creating a better world for everyone.