文档介绍：1
Background information
2
Main characters
3
Synopsis/Plot
4
Theme
第一页，共15页。
The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare‘s other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic scenes.
Background information
第二页，共15页。
Antonio – a merchant of Venice
Bassanio – Antonio's friend; suitor to Portia
Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica
Portia – a rich heiress
Shylock – a rich Jew, moneylender, father of Jessica
Jessica – daughter of Shylock, in love with Lorenzo
Duke of Venice – Venetian authority who presides over the case of Shylock's bond
Main Characters
第三页，共15页。
Duke of Venice
Antonio
Shylock
Jessica
Lorenzo
Portia
Bassanio
Daughter and Father
Lovers
Couple
Friends
Save
Beat
Presides over his case
Enemy
Main Characters
第四页，共15页。
Synopsis
Bassanio, a young noble man, wishes to woo the beautiful heiress Portia of Belmont. He turns for his friend, Antonio, for 3,000 ducats as his expenditures. Antonio, who has previously and repeatedly bailed him out agrees, but since Antonio is cash-poor – his ships and goods are busy at sea – he promises to cover a bond if Bassanio can find a lender, so Bassanio turns to the Jewish moneylender Shylock and names Antonio as the loan's guarantor.
Shylock agrees to lend the sum to Antonio without interest upon one condition: if Antonio is unable to repay it at the specified date, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio's flesh.
第五页，共15页。
Synopsis
第六页，共15页。
Synopsis
Meanwhile in Belmont, Portia is awash with suitors. Her father left a will stipulating, each of her suitors must choose correctly from one of three caskets – one each of gold, silver and lead. If he picks the right casket, he gets Portia. The two suitors before Bassanio have failed. Luckily, with the