The Merchant of Venice summaries Act 1 and 2

Act 1 Scene 1 summary

Antonio is sad. Salarino and Salanio thought Antonio was sad because he was worried about his cargo. Turns out Antonio’s sadness was not caused by anything since nothing has been stated in the text.

Bassanio is desperate for money because it is his only way to be able to have a chance on marrying the rich Portia. Antonio is planning to help by willing to give his money and credits to Bassanio but all his money is still at sea in his cargo. Antonio and Bassanio is planning to ask other people for money.

Act 1 Scene 2 summary

Portia is getting married with one of her suitors. She does not get to pick because of her late father’s will. His will was for Portia to marry the suitor who picks the right casket: the gold, silver, or lead box. The suitors pick from those three based on her father’s riddle: Gold- He who chooses me will get what many men want. Silver- He who chooses me will get as much as he deserves. Lead- He who chooses me must give and risk all he has.

The 3 caskets were necessary because Portia’s father did not want an undeserving man to marry Portia. Meaning, those who married for the money and not the woman. The caskets were for deceiving, if a man chooses the gold, it looks as if he would find treasure, he must be only marrying for the money.

Portia complains to Nerissa that she does not like any of her suitors because one of them talks about their horse, one is always frowning and sad, one was trying to be better than the suitors but he had lots of personalities, one couldn’t speak languages Portia spoke so they couldn’t communicate and he also dressed oddly, one was very forgiving, one was a drunkard, Portia does not like one of them because he’s a person of colour.

Portia is also interested in Bassanio because they saw each other when he accompanied the marquess of Montferrat where Portia lives (this was before her dad died).

Act 1 Scene 3 summary

Bassanio and Antonio are asking Shylock for money since he is a money lender. Antonio will pay back what they have gotten from Shylock which is 3000 ducats for 3 months. Shylock is hesitant to give the money because Antonio treated him badly since Antonio was a Christian and Shylock is a Jew. Antonio does not like Shylock because he also charges interest.

Antonio complains about Shylock at the Rialto about his negotiating and profits (Antonio calls “interest”). He also called Shylock a heathen, dirty dog, and spat on his Jewish clothes, spat on his beard, and kicked him.

If Antonio does not pay back Shylock in the day of payment and at the meeting place, penalty is Antonio’s flesh to be cut off of whatever Shylock likes.

Act 2 Scene 1 summary

The Prince of Morocco sees Portia and wants to marry her. He wants a chance on the casket game. Portia tells the Prince to take his chance on the casket game because the Prince does not agree with the game. The game is only by luck and the Prince thinks Portia should have been able to choose by the looks and the strength and bravery of a man. If the Prince takes a chance on the game, if he does not pick the right casket, he cannot marry anyone else.

Act 2 Scene 2 summary

Launcelot does not want to be a servant to Shylock anymore because he is not getting enough money. Launcelot’s dad, Gobbo comes and tries to find his son (even though he is talking to him since he is half blind or between half and totally). Gobbo wants to give his blessings to his son and so a favour Launcelot asks for is for Gobbo to ask Bassanio if Launcelot can work for him. Bassanio approves fo be Launcelot’s master.

Act 2 Scene 3 summary

Jessica is very sad to hear that Launcelot was leaving since he was a servant. He made the environment cheerful for her. Jessica asks Launcelot to give a love letter to Lorenzo. She was planning to run away with Lorenzo and would switch from being a Jew to being a Christian to marry Lorenzo.

Act 2 Scene 4 summary

Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salarino, and Salanio are planning to help Jessica escape her father, Shylock. They needed to go to a dinner first but they planned to sneak away at supper, put masks on at Lorenzo’s house, and go back to supper in an hour. Lorenzo receives Jessica’s love letter and says he will not fail their plan to help her escape from her father. Jessica told Lorenzo how to get out of her father’s house, what gold and jewels she owns, and what her disguise is.

Act 2 Scene 5 summary

Jessica is asked by her father to watch the house while he is out for dinner. He has only been asked to dinner because the people there are only going to flatter him. Launcelot tells Jessica that Lorenzo will come when Shylock leaves. Shylock does not want to be stolen from.

Act 2 Scene 6 summary

Gratiano, Salarino, and Lorenzo go to get Jessica while dressed up for the masquerade ball. Jessica is embarrassed because she is disguised as a boy. Lorenzo asks Jessica to be his torchbearer at the masquerade.

Antonio finds Gratiano and tells him to hurry to go with Bassanio to the dinner.

Act 2 Scene 7 summary

To win this game, the suitor needs to pick the casket with a picture of Portia. The Prince of Morocco picks his casket, the gold (He who chooses me will get what many men want). Inside the gold casket is a skull with a scroll that says he lost and so this means no marriage with any woman. He picked the gold because he thought the “want” was Portia so her picture must have been inside. At least he did not pick the gold because he thought there would be treasure.

Act 2 Scene 8 summary

Shylock was trying to catch up to Bassanio’s ship since he may have found Jessica not in their house and thought his daughter was on the ship. He was too late and Jessica was not even on it. Jessica ran off with Lorenzo with Shylock’s Christian ducats and jewels-two rich and precious stones. Seems like Shylock only cares about his ducats and his jewels.

Antonio’s ship may have been wrecked in the English Channel which is not good since his money is there and needs to pay Shylock but may now need to pay with flesh.

Act 2 Scene 9 summary

The Prince of Arragon takes his chance with the caskets game. If he picks the wrong one, he oaths to do 3 things, can’t tell what box he chose, he will never get married, and that he will leave immediately. He picks the silver casket (He who chooses me will get what he deserves) since he thinks he deserves the best. He lost and got a picture with an idiot holding a scroll. He thought he deserved more than a fool’s head and deserved more.

Another man is calling to take a shot for Portia. Nerissa hopes it’s Bassanio.