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In Belmont, Portia asks Bassanio to
delay choosing caskets to prolong
their time together. But to his and
Portia’s joy, he chooses the lead
casket containing a portrait of
Portia. Bassanio’s friend Graziano
and Portia’s maid Nerissa decide
to marry. This happiness is marred
by news that Shylock is claiming
his flesh from Antonio. Portia
offers to repay the debt “twenty
times over,” and Bassanio sets
off for Venice. Portia follows
Bassanio disguised as a male
lawyer, accompanied by Nerissa
disguised as “his” clerk.
In a Venice courtroom, Shylock
demands his pound of flesh.
Balthasar (Portia in disguise)
arrives to adjudicate. Balthasar
says Shylock should be merciful,
but the law is in his favor. Shylock
delightedly prepares to take his
pound of flesh. Then Balthasar
informs him that in doing so he
may not spill Antonio’s blood.
Stunned, Shylock accepts
Bassanio’s money. But Balthasar is
relentless. As an alien threatening
a Venetian, she tells Shylock, he
faces the death penalty, which can
only be averted by giving up all hisTHE LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MAN
2.7/9
3.1 3.4 4.1
3.2 4.1 4.1
In Belmont, the
princes of Morocco
and Aragon choose
the wrong caskets
and fail to win
Portia’s hand.Shylock is incensed by his
runaway daughter, but takes
solace in the chance of
revenge on Antonio, whose
ships are sunk.As Bassanio speeds
to Venice to help
Antonio, Portia and
Nerissa resolve to
follow disguised
as lawyers.Balthasar demands Shylock
be punished for trying to
take a Christian’s blood, and
Shylock is forced to give
up all his property.Bassanio chooses the
lead casket and wins
the hand of Portia,
who gives him a
ring; Graziano woos
her maid Nerissa.Portia as Balthasar argues
that Shylock may take
Antonio’s flesh, but only
if he spills no blood.Bassanio is prevailed
upon to give
Balthasar Portia’s
ring in payment
for his help.5.1
Back in Belmont,
Portia reveals her
role as Balthasar and
all ends happily for
Portia and Bassanio,
Nerissa and Graziano,
and Jessica and
Lorenzo.Act 3 Act 4 Act 5
wealth. The Duke pardons him,
providing he pay half his wealth to
Antonio. Antonio simply asks that
Shylock give the money to Jessica
and Lorenzo on his death. Balthasar
asks in payment from Bassanio only
the ring Portia gave him.
Lorenzo and Jessica bask in their
love as Portia and Nerissa return.
The girls berate Bassanio and
Graziano for giving their rings to
other women. Antonio defends them,
and Portia and Nerissa admit the
truth. Portia tells Antonio his boats
are safe, and Nerissa gives Lorenzo
and Jessica Shylock’s new will. ❯❯