The Merchant of Venice is a romantic comedy which was written between 1596 and 1597. It opens on the streets of Venice and throughout the comedy, the setting shifts between Venice and Belmont.

Bassanio (a business man) tells Antonio, (a Venetian merchant and dear friend) that he has fallen in love with Portia, (a wealthy heiress from Belmont) and plans to travel to Belmont to win her heart. Bassanio tells Antonio that he desperately needs money to court Portia; Antonio unfortunately has his money invested in merchant ships at sea and tells Bassanio that he is unable to make the loan, but suggests that Bassanio seek a moneylender and name Antonio as the loan's guarantor. In Venice, Bassanio and Antonio seek out Shylock, a Jewish money lender for a loan. Antonio openly expresses his contempt for the greedy and vengeful usurer. Shylock displays hatred toward Antonio because of the cruel...