The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of
Venice

William Shakespeare

Three Watson
Irvine, CA 92618-2767
Website: www.sdlback.com

Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM

Three Watson
Irvine, CA 92618-2767
Website: www.sdlback.com
Copyright © 2006 by Saddleback Educational Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the
written permission of the publisher.
ISBN 1-59905-149-4

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William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in
Stratford-on-Avon, England, the third child of John Shakespeare,
a well-to-do merchant, and Mary Arden, his wife. Young William
probably attended the Stratford grammar school, where he
learned English, Greek, and a great deal of Latin. Historians
aren’t sure of the exact date of Shakespeare’s birth.
In 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. By 1583
the couple had a daughter, Susanna, and two years later the
twins, Hamnet and Judith. Somewhere between 1585 and
1592 Shakespeare went to London, where he became first an
actor and then a playwright. His acting company, The King’s
Men, appeared most often in the Globe theater, a part of which
Shakespeare himself owned.
In all, Shakespeare is believed to have written thirty-seven
plays, several nondramatic poems, and a number of sonnets.
In 1611 when he left the active life of the theater, he returned
to Stratford and became a country gentleman, living in the
second-largest house in town. For five years he lived a quiet
life. Then, on April 23, 1616, William Shakespeare died and
was buried in Trinity Church in Stratford. From his own time
to the present, Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest
writers of the English-speaking world.

William Shakespeare

The Merchant
of

Venice

Antonio Portia

Shylock

Jessica Bassanio

the merchant of venice
Men came from everywhere to try to marry the beautiful Portia—
rich men from France, England, and Germany. But she could accept
only the man who passed her father’s test.

Perhaps the Prince of Morocco* would win her. or perhaps it would be
a handsome young man from venice.**
* a country in northern Africa
** a city in Italy

10 I don’t know why Your mind is on the
I am so sad. It’s a ocean where your
The story strange feeling, and ships are tossing on
begins many it makes me very tired. the waves!
years ago
on a street
in Venice
where three
young men
walked
together.
They were
Antonio,
a wealthy
merchant,*
and his
friends,
Salerio and
Solanio.

If I had so many ships at sea Every time I saw a stone
with such rich cargoes,** I’d church I’d wonder what
always be wondering where dangerous rocks my
the wind was blowing them! ships might hit.

* a seller of goods often imported from faraway lands
** loads of goods to sell

No, no! My fortune is spread out the merchant of venice 11
on many ships in many places. Not
all of them could be lost at once! Believe me, I
am not sad
because of
worrying
about my
ships and my
fortune.

Why, then your are No, That’s Then you are sad
in love! not It just because you
either. aren’t happy!

12 Whenever you say. For
Here comes your now, we must leave.
cousin Bassanio
with Lorenzo and
Gratiano. we’ll
leave you in good
company.

Good day to you!
when are we going
to get together
and have some fun?

You don’t The world’s a stage,
look well, Gratiano, And the part I
Antonio. must play is a sad one.
You are too
serious!

the merchant of venice 13

Then I’ll play the part
of a fool. Let my
wrinkles come from
laughing and talking
instead of being sad!

Some men are known for their well, I must
wisdom* because they keep be one of
quiet. but if they spoke, they’d them, because
be called fools like me! Gratiano
never gives
me a chance
to speak.

But we must Goodbye, friend. Gratiano
leave you. Come, speaks
Lorenzo! more and
says less
than any
other man
in Venice!

* great minds; learning

14

Now, tell me about Well, you I owe a lot Tell me about
this lady you know that of money, and it, Bassanio. I
spoke of—this I’ve enjoyed most of it to will do every-
secret trip you myself and you! But I have thing I can to
want to make to spent more a plan for help you.
see her. than I have. paying every-
thing back.

There is a rich young the word about I met her once. . . and
lady in Belmont her has spread, I could see in her
named portia. She’s and men sail in eyes that she liked
beautiful, too, and every day to try me.
good! and win her.

the merchant of venice 15

Now Antonio, if I You know Use it to borrow Thank you,
had the money to that all my as much money Antonio!
go to Belmont money is tied as you need, and
and try my luck, up in my ships I will soon repay
I think I could and their it!
win her love. cargoes—but
my credit* is
good.

Meanwhile Nerissa, I’m bored I suppose people with
in Belmont, with everything in too much money can be
the Heiress** the world! as sick of it as those
Portia talked who have nothing.
with her maid,
Nerissa.

* a promise to pay back any money borrowed
** a young woman who had been given a great deal of money when her parents died

16

But is it fair that a living daughter I’m not al- But your father
should be controlled* by the will lowed to was a wise and
of a dead father? refuse a hus- holy man.
band I don’t
like, or to
choose one I
do like.

When he ordered your
suitors** to choose
among these three
chests. . . One gold,
one silver, and one
lead. . . he must have
known how to pick
the right husband for
you.

before he died, portia’s father had set up the
plan using the three chests. inside one of them
portia’s picture was hidden. to marry her, a
suitor had to choose the right chest.

* ordered around
** men who wanted to marry a certain young lady

How do you Well, first the merchant of venice 17
feel about the there’s the prince
men who have from Naples.* He talks of nothing but his
already come horse and how he can shoe him
to court you? himself.

How about He does nothing What about the I don’t like
the count but frown! I’d Frenchman? Or the any of them.
Palatine? sooner marry a young Englishman?
skull with a bone Or the man from
in its mouth! Scotland?

* a city in Italy

18

Well, how Not at all in the Well, don’t worry. All of them
do you like morning when he is are giving up and going home.
the young sober*. . . and even
German less in the afternoon I’m glad
duke? when he is drunk! of that.

Do you remember, Yes, I think He seemed to be the best of all
in your father’s his name of them!
time, a young man was Bas-
from Venice who sanio. I remember him well,
came here? and i agree!

* not drunk

Just then Well, what the merchant of venice 19
a servant is it?
entered. The last four men
who came to win
you wish to say
goodbye.

And word has come While we shut the
that the prince of gate on one suitor,
morocco will arrive another knocks at
tonight. the door!

Meanwhile in Venice, Three thousand Yes, sir, for
Bassanio talked ducats?* well, three months.
with a money-lend- now. . .
er. Shylock was a
Jew whose busi-
ness was lending
money and charg-
ing interest for its
use.

* about $20,000

20 Antonio. . . his But I want to speak with
credit is good. Antonio first.
And Antonio
will repay Of course.
the loan. here he
comes
now.

Welcome, I hate Antonio—
Antonio! first because he
is a Christian,* and
secondly because
he lends money free
of charge and ruins
my business!

He hates us Jews and talks
against me and the interest I
charge.

* one who believes in Jesus Christ

Shylock, are you the merchant of venice 21
listening to me?
I was just thinking about
how much money I can
lend you.

Shylock, you know But for my friend’s sake, I
I don’t believe in will break my rule. Has he
charging interest told you what he wants?
for lending money.

Yes, three
thousand
ducats for
three months.

22 You’ve done this Now you need my
just because I help. you ask me for
Signior* Antonio, many choose to use my money. what should
times you have called wealth** this way. I say?
me names in public for
the money I lend and
the interest I charge.

I’m not asking as a friend. Don’t be angry! I will That is
This is business, and I will lend you the money Kind!
pay you for its use! without interest!

* sir; Mr.
** riches

of Course it is. come with me the merchant of venice 23
to a notary* and we’ll make
it legal. And as a joke, if you don’t repay
me on the agreed day, you’ll give
me a pound of your flesh to be
cut from whatever part of your
body I wish.

I’ll agree to No, no! I won’t
that. My ships hear of it.
will be in a
month before
the money is
due!

* someone who acts as a witness to an agreement

24

Why won’t you trust
me, Signior Bassanio?

A pound of beef
might be worth
something, but
what would I gain
from a pound of
Antonio’s Flesh?

It’s all right, Bas- I will meet you at I still don’t
sanio. Perhaps the the notary’s office. like it!
Jew will grow kind
enough to become
a christian!

the merchant of venice 25

While these I hope you won’t dis- I don’t judge by my
things were like me for my dark eyes. whoever wins
happening, skin. I come from a me by my father’s
the prince land that is close to test is fair enough
of Morocco the sun. to me.
arrived at
Portia’s
house.

Thank you for that! You may do You must swear* that if you
then lead me to the that after choose wrong, you will never
chests to try my dinner. But marry another lady.
luck. did you
know that I’ll swear it!
you must
make a
promise?

* promise

26

At the same time in Venice, a servant of Shylock’s named Launcelot
Gobbo was trying to make up his mind.

Should I run away? But my conscience* I Like the devil’s
The devil tells me to tells me to stay advice** better. I’ll
go. with my master, the run!
Jew.

Young man, It’s my old blind
please tell me father! I’ll Play a
which is the way joke on him!
to master Jew’s.

* the part of one’s mind that can tell good from evil
** help; good words

Take the next the merchant of venice 27
right, then the
next left, then Can you tell me if there’s a
don’t take any Launcelot that lives there?
turns at all.
Do you mean
young master
Launcelot?

No master, That What? I Don’t you
sir, but a poor Launcelot’s need him in know me
man’s son. His dead and my old age! father? I am
father’s poor, gone to your son!
but very honest. heaven.

28 Yes, I am Then you are No, I’m running
Launcelot, my son. well, away. Give it to
I can’t believe it! the Jew’s I’ve brought Signior Bassanio.
Are you sure ? servant, the your master I want to work
son of your a present. for him.
wife Margery! Do you get
along well?

Just then See that supper’s ready What luck! Here’s
Bassanio and at five o’ clock. And ask Bassanio now.
Leonardo Gratiano to come to my Tell him, father.
came by. house later.

the merchant of venice 29

Please, sir. . . No, no. . . the rich jew’s If you’d rather work
here’s my son, servant! But I’d rather for a poor Christian
a poor boy. . . work for you! than a rich Jew, I’m
glad to have you.

As Bassanio My dear friend. . . Only if you
sent Launce- a favor! Let me go promise to
lot off to with you to Belmont. change your
shylock’s to ways. You must
give notice,* learn to talk
Gratiano less, be more
arrived. quiet. . . gentle. . .
Polite. . .

Yes, I’ll be No, tonight we’ll
careful! But have a party.
not tonight!

* to tell one’s employer that he is leaving his job

30 I am sorry you are going.
Your funny ways have made
When Launcelot this sad house better.
went back to
shylock’s house,
he told shy-
lock’s daughter
Jessica that he
was leaving his
job.

Here is a ducat Please give him You are such
for you. to- this letter. Do a beautiful,
night at supper, it secretly. sweet Jew.
you will see I am sure a
Lorenzo, your Christian will
new master’s marry you
guest. . . someday.

When he left and Jessica was the merchant of venice 31
alone. . .
If lorenzo keeps his promise I’ll
I am ashamed leave all this. Then I’ll become a
to be my Christian—and his loving wife!
father’s child.
but his ways
are not my
ways.

At that We can slip away to my but We haven’t
moment house at suppertime and arranged for
lorenzo put on our costumes. torchbearers*
and his yet.
friends
were
planning a
costume
party.

Just then Good news! I have just found How could you? Isn’t
Launcelot a torchbearer for tonight. that letter from the
came in lovely Jessica?
and gave
Jessica’s
Letter to
Lorenzo.

* servants who carried lights when their masters went out at night

32 Thank you, sir. Now I must go
and ask my old master the Jew
Yes, it is. She is running away, to dine tonight with my new mas-
and we will be married tonight. ter Bassanio.
Here, Launcelot—tell Jessica
that I’ll be there!

Soon Jessica, I’m Invited to
Launcelot supper with the Chris-
reached tians. I don’t want to go
shylock’s but I must!
house.

Go inside. Lock up the
doors and windows
tight! I have a feeling
that something awful is
going to happen!

I’m sorry I made the merchant of venice 33
you wait, but
Jessica is coming Take this, my love. It’s
with us. full of gold and jewels.

Shylock left
for supper.
Later that
night, outside
shylock’s
house,
Lorenzo met
his friends.

Dear Lorenzo, Don’t worry, my
I am ashamed sweet. You must be
to be seen my torchbearer. No
dressed this one will know you in
way! that outfit!*

As the Quick, Gratiano! The wind Fine. the party
young men has changed, and you must will go along
left for sail for Belmont tonight. without me.
Bassanio’s
feast,
Antonio
hurried
toward
them.

* clothing

34

Meanwhile, at Here are the chests, I Will read the writing
portia’s house noble prince. on each one.
in Belmont,
the prince
of Morocco
was taking his
chance to win
portia as his
wife.

The first of gold, The silver promises, And this dull lead
says: “who chooses “who chooses me chest? It warns:
me shall gain what shall get as much “who chooses me
many men desire.” as he deserves.” must give and risk
all he has.”

How do I know if I’ve chosen the the merchant of venice 35
right one?
Risk all I have for lead? Never!
One of them The silver. . . as much as I de-
holds my picture. serve? That’s the lady!
If you choose
that one, I am
yours!

Let’s read the Here’s the key, The Prince opened the chest and
gold again: Prince, Open it. found a skull inside. He read the
“What many scroll* that was with it.
men desire. . .”
That’s the lady! I “All that glitters is not
choose the gold! gold. . . fare you well, your
wish is cold!”

At that, all the prince could do
was leave.

* a rolled up piece of paper

36

Meanwhile, I saw Bassanio and Well, shylock thought
Bassanio Gratiano on the ship and he was! He brought
had set sail I’m sure that Lorenzo the duke of Venice with
for Belmont. was not with them. him to search it.
Back in ven-
ice, Salerio
and solanio
talked about
the latest
news.

But he was too late. And Antonio swore “My daughter and
The ship was already they were not on his my money!” he kept
under way. Besides, ship. shouting, “stolen
Lorenzo and Jes- by a christian!”
sica had been seen
somewhere else in a
gondola* together!

Shylock was so He blames Antonio.
angry—you should Antonio had better
have heard him! be careful to pay
what he owes shy-
lock.

* a small boat

the merchant of venice 37

A Frenchman told me You’d better tell him Meanwhile
yesterday he saw an about it. in Belmont,
Italian ship sunk in the prince
the English channel. I of ArRagon
hope it wasn’t one of was ready
Antonio’s. to make his
choice for
Portia.

I have promised three Yes, everyone must
things. I must never swear those things.
tell anyone which
chest I chose; remain
unmarried all my life
if I choose wrong;
and leave at once if
I fail.

Not the gold. . . not the lead. . . The picture of a fool! Do I deserve
I’ll choose the silver which no more than a fool’s head? Well,
promises as much as I deserve! so much for my hopes.

Open it.

38 My lady, a young Let us go to I hope it is
man from venice meet him, Nerissa. Bassanio!
The unhappy is arriving.
prince of Ar-
Ragon sailed
away. but not
long after-
ward, a mes-
senger came
to portia.

Back in veince, solanio and Oh, no! and here comes
salerio had heard more news. Shylock to hear about it!

What is it Another of Antonio’s
now? rich ships has been
wrecked and lost!

Hello, shylock You knew of my We knew something,
what news do you daughter’s running yes. But what do you
have? away with my money hear of Antonio’s
and jewels! losses AT SEA?

He will soon But surely, if the merchant of venice 39
be bankrupt!* he can’t pay
Let him look you, you won’t If it’s good for nothing else, it
to the bond take his flesh? will at least be good revenge.**
he gave me! what’s that He has laughed at me and made
good for? fun of me. . . all because I am a
jew.

Doesn’t a Jew feel If you cut us, don’t And if you wrong
the same heat and we bleed? If you us, shall we not
cold and hunger as poison us, don’t we take revenge? If
a Christian? die? we are like you in
the rest, we are
also like you in
that!

* without money
** getting back at someone for the evil he has done

40

The bad things
you have taught
me I will carry
out. . . and I will
even try to out-
do my teachers.

At that point, My master Antonio is Good! We’ve
a servant of at home and wishes to been looking
Antonio’s came speak with you both. for him.
by.

As salerio and What news, Tubal? I have news of her from
solanio left, Have you found several places, But i
a friend of my daughter? haven’t found her.
shylock’s drew
near. He was
Tubal, another
jew.

the merchant of venice 41

And she is I shall never But other men, Well, that’s
spending money see my gold too, are un- good. Find me
everywhere. One again! lucky. Another an officer. I’ll
night in Genoa of Antonio’s have Antonio’s
she spent eighty treasure ships heart if he
ducats! was sunk! can’t pay me
on time!

Meanwhile, in Bel- Wait a few days, Bas- No, let me choose
mont, things were sanio. If you choose now. I can’t stand
happier. Bassanio wrong, then I must lose the suspense* of
had arrived at you! Waiting.
Portia’s, and the
two young people
had fallen in love.
But Bassanio
still had to pass
Portia’s father’s
test.

* not knowing the outcome of something

42 My Picture is locked One must not judge by
in one of them. if appearance* alone. Even a
So everything you love me, Find it. coward** may have a brave
was made beard upon his chin.
ready for
Bassanio to
choose.

So I won’t choose the bright I choose the plain lead, whose
gold. . . or the silver. dull outside promises nothing.

* what something seems to be
** someone who is too afraid to fight for what is right

Bassanio Fair lady, your the merchant of venice 43
raised picture! But I won’t
the lid. . . believe I’ve won you This house, these
and found until you tell me so. servants, and
portia’s myself are yours,
picture! Bassanio!

Then portia took a ring from After this, Gratiano stepped
her finger. forward.

I give them to It will leave I wish you joy. . . and beg
you with this my finger that Nerissa and I may be
ring. Never part only if I am married at the same time
with it as long dead! you are wed.
as you love me.

44 It is so if you are Then we’ll be
pleased, madam. honored to share
Is this true, our wedding day
Nerissa? with you!

Meanwhile, My dear friends, Your friends are
Salerio had welcome! most welcome!
sailed to
Belmont Here is his letter. It
with a letter will tell you.
from Anto-
nio. Meeting
Lorenzo and
Jessica, the
runaways,
he brought
them with
him.

How is my dear friend
Antonio?

the merchant of venice 45

Only some awful news. . . a
dear friend dead. . . could
turn Bassanio so pale!

All Antonio’s ships
have been lost at sea.
His debt to shylock is
overdue and shylock
demands his pound of
Antonio’s flesh!

You must hurry to your Alas, I’ve heard my
friend and give him the father swear he would
money he needs. I will give rather have Antonio’s
it to you myself! flesh than Twenty times
the value of his debt!*

* money that has been borrowed

46 I’ll do it. . . and
First come to the then hurry back
church to be married. . . to you.
Nerissa and Gratiano
too.

Then you must sail
for Venice with enough
gold to save your
friend.

The weddings Lorenzo, I would like you and Jessica
took place, to take charge of my house. Nerissa
and later Bas- and I will go to a nearby monastery*
sanio sailed to pray for our husbands’ safe return.
away. Soon
afterward,
Portia had an
idea.

* a holy place, usually the home of monks or nuns

Then Portia sent a letter to her the merchant of venice 47
cousin in Padua.*
Then bring the notes and
Take this quickly to clothes he gives you and meet
my cousin, Doctor me at the ferry** for Venice. We’ll
Bellario. be there before you.

Come, Nerissa! We’ll Will they Yes, but they won’t know us!
see our husbands see us? And when we are dressed as
before they expect it. young men, I’ll bet I’ll make
the handsomer fellow!

* a city in northern Italy
** a boat that makes short trips over calm waters

48 Shylock, you have sworn to No. I have
take the pound of this man’s sworn to have
Soon, in a flesh to which the law entitles* a pound of his
courtroom you. I think, in this last hour, flesh—and I
in Venice, you will show mercy. will have it!
the trial
to decide
Antonio’s
fate began.

But here If you offered If I told you to let your slaves
are six me thirty-six go free, you wouldn’t do it! I
thousand thousand, I bought this pound of flesh, and I
ducats for would not take won’t let it go free!
your three them!
thousand!

It’s no use.
Let him have
his way.

* gives

I have sent for doc- the merchant of venice 49
tor Bellario, a wise
lawyer* from Padua, Sir, a messenger is
to decide this case. here with letters
from him.

All of this Nerissa entered, dressed as a lawyer’s clerk.**
was Portia’s
plan. She Do you come from Yes, sir. He sends
and Nerissa doctor Bellario? you this.
would take
doctor
Bellario’s
place.

Doctor Bellario He waits
says he is ill. But outside.
he has talked
over this case
with a young
lawyer who can
take his place.
Where is he?

* someone who knows the law and argues cases in court
** helper; assistant

50

The duke You are welcome. Do Yes, very well. Which is
sent for you know this case? the merchant and which
the young the jew?
man. Portia
entered,
Disguised as
the lawyer
Balthasar.

Antonio and shylock were With only justice, none of us
identified.* Portia spoke to would ever be saved. We all pray
shylock. for mercy, and that should teach
us to give mercy to others!

Your case is And why must
strange. . . but by I? I want
law you have the justice!**
right to it. You
must show mercy.

No! I want what I Isn’t he able to pay Yes, it’s here! I’ll pay
am owed! you the money? it! change the law
just this once!

* made known
** exactly what is owed