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Merchant of Venice Study Guide

by William Shakespeare

Merchant of Venice study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The Merchant of Venice opens with Antonio, a Christian merchant, in a depressed state. His friends try to cheer him up, but nothing works to make him feel better. Finally his friend Bassanio, an aristocrat who has lost all of his money, comes and asks Antonio to loan him some money.

Antonio, who has tied up all of his money is seafaring ventures, is unable to give Bassanio a direct loan. Instead he offers to use his good credit to get a loan for Bassanio. Bassanio finds Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and convinces him to give a loan of three thousand ducats as long as Antonio will sign the contract. In a rather unusual twist, instead of charging the Christian men interest, Shylock agrees to waive it as long as Antonio promises him a pound of…

Read the full Merchant of Venice Summary

• Merchant of Venice Summary
• About Merchant of Venice
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis of Act 1
• Summary and Analysis of Act 2
• Summary and Analysis of Act 3
• Summary and Analysis of Act 4
• Summary and Analysis of Act 5
• About Shakespearean Theater
• Related Links on Merchant of Venice
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Merchant of Venice: Essays
• Merchant of Venice: E-Text
• Merchant of Venice: Questions
• Merchant of Venice: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography