Antonio is a wealthy merchant in Venice. He owns many ships. His friend Bassanio wants to marry the heiress, Portia. Bassanio asks his friend Antonio to lend him money to marry Portia. However, Antonio doesn't have money at the moment because his ships are all at sea. Together, they go to Shylock, the evil moneylender, and make a deal with him. Antonio promises Shylock a pound of flesh if he can't pay back the loan. After some time, the money was due and Antonio couldn't pay it. Shylock took him to court and demanded his pound of flesh. Meanwhile, without anyone knowing, Portia dressed up like a lawyer and came to court to try to help Antonio. She convinced everyone that Shylock could have his pound of flesh, but without taking any blood. This was of course impossible and in the end Shylock had to leave the court with nothing. He was forced to promise to give his possessions to his daughter when he dies.
