Summary:
Antonio was a merchant who possessed a lot of ships. His friend Bassanio fell love with the princess of Beimont, Portia. To voo to her, he need a somme of money.
Antonio was generous and valued highly friendships. He agreed without hesitate that Bassanio could raise money in his name. Shylock lent Bassanio three thousands ducats at the price of a pound of Antonio's flesh if he didn't pay it back at time.
Shylock was a Jew who have been suffering from the unfair treatment of Antonio. Antonio also lent money without interest, which brought down the interest rate by the law of supply and demand. Therefore Shylock hated him a lot.
Unfortunately for Antonio, because of the bad weather, none of his ships came back from the sea. Regardless the persuation of the Duck and many merchants, Shylock insisted on his rights.
For the law and the future of Venice, the Duke had to accept Shylock's demand. But Portia and her maid Nerissa disguised as the lawyer and his clerk, saved Antonio from death in court. All of Shylock's posssessions would be forfeit, and half of them would be held by Antonio in trust. After Shylock's death, the property will go to his daughter Jessica and Lorenzo, Jessica's husband.
In return of their help, the lawyer and his clerk asked the ring of Bassanio and Gratiano. They are unwillingly as first because the rings were given as the first gift by their wife. But they gave them away finally. Portia and Nerissa was very angry about their husband for being so unrespectable to their gifts and promises.
They reconcilied and Antonio has three ships back, he will still be a rich man.
