The Merchant of Venice facts for kids
The Merchant of Venice is a famous play written by William Shakespeare. We don't know the exact year it was written, but people first mentioned it around 1598. Most experts now believe Shakespeare wrote it between 1596 and 1597. He got some of his ideas from an old Italian story called Il Pecorone, written by Ser Giovanni in the 1300s.
The play was first printed in 1600. It was printed again in 1619, and then included in a big book of all Shakespeare's plays called the First Folio in 1623. The Merchant of Venice has been turned into many television shows and movies over the years. There are even three operas based on the play's story.
The Story of the Play
The play is set in Venice, Italy. It starts with a young man named Bassanio. He is from a noble family but doesn't have much money. Bassanio has fallen in love with a beautiful and wealthy lady named Portia, who lives in Belmont.
Bassanio needs money to visit Portia and try to win her heart. He asks his good friend, Antonio, for a loan. Antonio is a rich merchant in Venice, but most of his money is currently invested in his ships at sea.
Antonio's Risky Loan
Since Antonio's money is tied up, he borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Antonio agrees to a very unusual deal: if he cannot pay the money back by a certain date, he will give Shylock a "pound of his flesh." This means Shylock could take a piece of Antonio's body.
Bassanio uses this money to travel to Belmont. He successfully wins Portia's love, and they plan to get married.
The Courtroom Drama
Unfortunately, Antonio's ships are lost at sea, and he cannot repay the loan on time. Shylock demands the "pound of flesh" as agreed in the bond. The case goes to court, and everyone is worried for Antonio.
Portia, Bassanio's new wife, disguises herself as a clever young lawyer. She argues that Shylock's demand is cruel. She agrees that the bond is legal, but she says that justice should also include mercy. Shylock refuses to show any mercy.
Portia then finds a clever way to save Antonio. She points out that the bond only says "a pound of flesh," but it does not say anything about blood. If Shylock takes the flesh, he must not spill any blood. This makes it impossible for Shylock to take his pound of flesh without breaking the law.
Because Shylock insisted on the strict terms of the bond, he loses his case. He is forced to give up his claim on Antonio and faces other serious consequences.
Images for kids
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Gilbert's Shylock After the Trial, an illustration to The Merchant of Venice
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The title page from a 1565 printing of Giovanni Fiorentino's 14th-century tale Il Pecorone
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Shylock and Jessica (1876) by Maurycy Gottlieb
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Shylock and Portia (1835) by Thomas Sully
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Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree as Shylock, painted by Charles Buchel (1895–1935)
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The playbill from a 1741 production at the Theatre Royal of Drury Lane
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A print of Edmund Kean as Shylock in an early 19th-century performance
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See also
In Spanish: El mercader de Venecia para niños
