Summary of Act 3 Scene 1 and 2 Merchant of Venice

Salarino and Solanio discuss the rumors that yet another of Antonio’s ships has been wrecked. They are joined by Shylock, who reviles the gentlemen for helping his daughter escape. Salarino asks Shylock whether he can confirm the rumors of Antonio’s lost vessels. Shylock replies that Antonio will soon be bankrupt and swears to collect his bond. Salarino doubts Shylock’s resolve, wondering what he will do with a pound of flesh. Shylock replies that Antonio’s flesh will feed his revenge. Shylock says Antonio has mistreated him because Shylock is a Jew, but now Shylock gis determined to apply the lessons of hatred and revenge that Christian intolerance has taught him .

Salarino and Solanio head off to meet with Antonio. A Jew Tubal, a friend of Shylock’s enters. Tubal announces that he cannot find Jessica. Shylock criticizes his daughter and mourns over his losses. He is especially sullen when Tubal reports that Jessica has taken a ring-presumably given to him by his wife Leah-and has traded it for a monkey. However, Shylock’s spirits brighten when Tubal reports that Antonio’s ships have run into trouble and that Antonio is certainly ruined.

In Belmont, Portia begs Bassanio to delay choosing between the caskets for a day or two. If Bassanio chooses incorrectly, Portia will lose his company. Bassanio insists that he make his choice now, to avoid prolonging the torment of living without Portia as his wife. Portia orders that music be played while her love makes his choice. Amidst the music Bassanio softly comments on the caskets and inscriptions. He rejects the gold and silver caskets saying that he will not be deceived by glitter and is not to commit crimes for the sake of silver. After much debate, Bassanio picks the lead casket, which he opens to reveal Portia’s portrait, along with a poem that congratulates and confirms that he has won Portia’s hand....