The Merchant of Venice and Cymbeline Summary

The tale "The Merchant of Venice" is about Shylock, a Jewish usurer, who lends money to Christian merchants at great interest. Antonio, a Christian, lends money to people in distress at no interest. Bassanio, Antonio's friend, wishes to marry a wealthy heiress, whom he loves. He asks Antonio to lend him three thousand ducats to court his love. Antonio doesn't have the money and decides to borrow it from Shylock at interest, using ships he expects to return soon as credit. Shylock, feigning friendship, agrees to lend him the money interest-free. He only has to sign a paper before a lawyer that Shylock may cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body should he not pay the debt on time. Bassanio doesn't want Antonio to sign the contract. Shylock said it's only jest...