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The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare -- Act 4, Scene 2 -- Summary and Analysis

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Summary Portia and Nerissa plan to return home straightaway before their husbands return. Gratiano however catches up with them and invites them to dinner. Portia accepts the ring, turns down the invitation and asks Gratiano to show Nerissa to Shylock's house. Finally, Nerissa plans to make Gratiano give her his ring too as a sign of gratitude. Main events Portia accepts Bassanio's ring from Gratiano Nerissa plans to get Gratiano's ring Gratiano will show Nerissa to Shylock's house Participating Characters Nerissa Portia Gratiano Response/ discussion The copycat ring. A metaliterary comment perhaps about repetitiveness of art or lack of imagination? Table of Contents: The Merchant of Venice -- Summary and Analysis Act 1 Scene 1 ,  Scene 2 ,  Scene 3 Act 2 Scene 1 ,  Scene 2 ,  Scene 3 ,  Scene 4 ,  Scene 5 ,  Scene 6 ,  Scene 7 ,  Scene 8 ,  Scene 9 Act 3 Scene 1 ,  Scene 2 ,  Scene 3 ,  Scene 4 ,  Scene 5 Act 4 Scene 1 ,  Scene 2 Act 5 Scene 1 The Merchant of Venice. 

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare -- Act 3, Scene 2 -- Summary and Analysis

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Summary We are in Belmont. Portia is fond of Bassanio and asks him not to choose caskets so she doesn't risk losing his company. He professes his love. She doubts him and he reassures her. He begs to choose because he feels tortured not knowing his future. He muses on the falseness of appearances, and on the misleading quality of ornaments. For this reason, he rejects the gold and silver caskets. He is moved by the lead casket and chooses it. Portia feels overwhelmed with happiness. Bassanio finds Portia's portrait in the casket, which means he gets her. They are both ecstatic. She says she wishes she were better for him, and also that he had better not leave her. He replies that he never will. Nerissa and Gratiano both congratulate the happy couple. Gratiano and Nerissa announce their intention to marry too. Lorenzo, Jessica and Salerio enter. Portia welcomes them. Salerio brings Bassanio a letter from Antonio. The letter reads that Antonio has lost all of his ships. Salenio r

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare -- Act 2, Scene 2 -- Summary and Analysis

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Summary Lancelot debates with himself whether to leave his master Shylock or not. He decides to run. Lancelot's father, Gobbo, enters and doesn't recognize Lancelot. Gobbo seeks Lancelot, and Lancelot lies to him and tells him he's died. Lancelot mocks him further but eventually reveals his identity.   Lancelot reveals his desire to run away and serve Bassanio instead. Lancelot urges his father to give a gift he has brought to Shylock to Bassanio to gain his favor. They fall over one another trying to ask Bassanio to serve him. Bassanio accepts, and says it is Shylock's desire as well.   Bassanio orders to dress him better than his other servants. Lancelot and Gobbo exit. Gratiano enters and demands to accompany Bassanio to Belmont. Bassanio agrees but warns Gratiano not to behave wildly as is his habit and risk the loss of Portia. He promises to behave well. Main events Lancelot debates with the devil and his conscious whether to run away from Bassanio Lancelot makes h

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare -- Act 1, Scene 2 -- Summary and Analysis

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Summary Portia says she is weary, and her companion Nerissa comforts her. Portia expresses frustration at the will her father left her. In lieu of choosing a husband, she must marry the man who chooses the correct chest/casket out of three that contain gold, silver, and lead. Portia is not fond of the foolish Neapolitan prince, nor of the too serious County Palatine. She rejects the other suitors for various reasons. She contemplates tricking them into choosing the wrong casket. Nerissa comforts her and says that she need not worry because none of these men are willing to risk the casket test. Nerissa recalls a Venetian scholar/soldier who visited her father once, and he was worthy of a lady. A serving-man enters and announces the arrival of a fifth suitor, the Prince of Morocco.   Main events We meet Portia who will marry the man who chooses the correct casket of three, as dictated by her father's will. Participating Characters Portia Nerissa Servingman Themes Professions of inten