The Merchant of Venice
In the beautiful city of Venice, there lived a wealthy merchant named Antonio. He was known for his kindness and generosity, helping anyone in need. Antonio was a man respected and loved by all the city's inhabitants.
One day, a friend of his, Bassanio, came to visit him. Bassanio was a young nobleman, but he was having financial troubles.
— Hey, Antonio! — Bassanio! I haven't seen you in ages. How are the wedding preparations going?
The Loan from Shylock
While Antonio and Bassanio were talking, another merchant, Shylock, passed by. Shylock was a moneylender, known for his greed and wickedness.
— Shylock, sir! I'll pay my debt tomorrow, I promise! — A deal's a deal, a promise is a promise. You promised to pay by today, and if you didn't, you gave your word that you'd give me your shop. You haven't given me the money? The shop is mine. — The loan is only 50 ducats. The shop is worth much more. — You should have thought of that before you pledged it. Get out of my way!
Antonio, seeing the injustice, intervened. He knew that Shylock was a unscrupulous man who took advantage of those in need.
— Shylock, wait! Here are the 50 ducats he owes you. — No! Why should I take your money? Mercanio was supposed to pay me today! — And the day isn't over, Shylock. There are still a few hours until sunset. So here's the money. Leave him his shop or I'll report you to the court. — Hmmm...
Shylock, though furious, was forced to accept the money, knowing that Antonio was right. Mercanio, grateful, thanked Antonio.
— Antonio! Thank you so much, Antonio! I'll give you the money back tomorrow, I promise! — I'm sure you will, Mercanio.
Wedding Plans and the Loan from Shylock (continued)
Antonio and Bassanio walked away from Shylock. Bassanio was worried about Shylock's attitude.
— Antonio, you're something else. I think Shylock hates you! Forget about him. Tell me, how are the wedding preparations going? — Ah, well, they're going quite well. Thank you. Is something wrong, Bassanio? — No, everything's fine. — We're friends, you and I. Tell me, what happened? — I was supposed to receive some money this week, but it won't arrive for at least five months. And I already have things I need to pay for now. — How much? — 3000 ducats. — A lot of money. — I know. I bought the ring for Portia and I wanted a feast for 500 poor people and to give them gifts at the wedding, and now I don't know what to do.
Antonio, though he didn't have the money on hand, came up with a solution. His merchant ships were returning soon, bringing with them a fortune.
— Very noble, Bassanio. I would gladly lend you the money. But even I don't have 3000 ducats right now. However, my ships are returning in three months and I'll have thousands of ducats then. — It will be too late! The wedding is next week. — I think I have an idea. Come with me.
The Contract with Shylock
Antonio and Bassanio went to Shylock. Shylock, seeing them, began to plot his revenge.
— Oh, that Antonio! If he hadn't interfered, I would have taken the shop worth 500 for 50 ducats. He always sticks his nose in my business. You'll pay, Antonio! One day, you'll pay! — Shylock? — Antonio! I need money. — You? You who donate money to ruin my business? You need money? — You're unfair, Shylock. And you know it. I need 3000 ducats. — 3000 ducats? — This is my chance to ruin Antonio, to get revenge for all the times you insulted me and ruined my plans. Fine. I'll give you the money without interest. But, if you don't bring me back the full amount in three months, everything you own will become mine. Agreed?
Bassanio was worried about the terms of the contract, but Antonio was confident that his ships would return on time.
— You're openly cheating him, Shylock! Antonio, let's go! — Don't worry, Bassanio. The ships are returning in three months. They've already left Africa. We have nothing to worry about. You need this money, my friend. — All right. I agree.
The Wedding and the Bad News
Bassanio worried about Antonio. He didn't trust Shylock at all, but Antonio was confident. Shylock gave him the 3000 ducats, and Bassanio was able to continue his wedding plans.
Bassanio married a beautiful and intelligent young lady named Portia. He gave her the ring he wanted to give her, and together, Portia and Bassanio shared their wealth with the poor. They gave them food and gifts.
— Thank you, Antonio! Nothing could have happened without your help. — Come on, Bassanio! How could I not help such a noble celebration? — No, seriously, Portia. Antonio risked everything he has with that Shylock to get 3000 ducats for the wedding. — What? And you let him, Bassanio? — Don't worry, you too. As soon as my ships return, I'll have enough money.
Months passed. Bassanio and Portia were very happy together, and Antonio was part of the family. And now, the time came for Antonio to pay Shylock back.
— Master, you have a message from the court. — What's happening? What is it? — Well, Shylock is asking me to appear in court tomorrow to account for not returning his money. — Has the time already come? Surely we have at least 10 more days until the payment day. — Excuse me, master, but may I say something? — Of course, Ribbus. What is it? — It is known that Mr. Shylock changes dates in contracts. Perhaps he changed the 18th to the 8th. — What? Wait! You can't just arrest him like that! — He must appear in court tomorrow, and Lord Shylock Thunders wants us to arrest him so he doesn't flee. — Antonio! — Oh! — What happened? Was there a storm at sea? Antonio's ships! — Yes, the ships. But Shylock won't wait another day. And with this message, Antonio is lost. — No! I won't allow any harm to come to Antonio! Go to him, Bassanio, but don't tell him about the storm. Don't say anything. It's time for Shylock to learn a lesson. I'll come to court as Antonio's lawyer. — You? How? — You just stay with your friend and don't tell him anything. Don't worry, I won't let any harm come to him, alright? — Ah, I trust you.
The Trial and the Turn of Events
The next day, Antonio was brought before the judge. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, was ready to defend him.
— Gentlemen, what do we have here? Lord Shylock Thunders versus Antonio Bassilus. Let the proceedings begin. — Well, Your Honor, the case is simple. Antonio owes me 3000 ducats. When I lent him this money, he promised me that if he didn't return it by today, everything he owns would become mine. — He changed the date on the contract, sir! — Silence, Mr. Thunders! Please show me the contract. — Here it is, sir! — Surely, Mr. Thunders, Mr. Antonio's properties are worth more than 3000 ducats. Why don't you take something that covers this amount? — I'm sorry, sir. Antonio himself signed this contract. A deal's a deal, a promise is a promise. — Mr. Antonio, how could you sign such an absurd agreement? Mr. Thunders, reconsider, it's inhumane! — Your Honor, it is completely legal and all I ask is for Antonio to fulfill his obligations as stated in the contract. — Mr. Shylock Thunders is right. Mr. Antonio must respect the contract he signed.
Portia, in her role as a lawyer, continued to examine the contract, finding a legal loophole.
— Mr. Thunders, the contract states that if Mr. Antonio does not return the money to you by today, then you will take everything he owns. Correct? — That is correct. — And you don't want to change your mind? — Not at all! A deal's a deal, a promise is a promise. — Very well. Your Honor, in this case, all losses suffered at sea by Mr. Antonio will be borne by Mr. Thunders. — Losses at sea? — Yes. You see here. It arrived yesterday afternoon. There was a big storm on the Mediterranean coast, where his ships were supposed to stop. You must bear the expenses, which amount to approximately 20,000 ducats. — Certainly not! Never! — When you say you will take everything Mr. Antonio owns, it is assumed that you take profits, properties, and losses belonging to Mr. Antonio. — That's a trick, sir! — A deal's a deal, a promise is a promise!
The judge agreed with the lawyer, and Shylock was forced to accept the consequences.
— The lawyer is right. You will have to bear all of Mr. Antonio's losses. — I forgive him the 3000 ducats. I no longer want the money back, nor the contract. — Enough, Mr. Thunders! Your behavior proves that you knowingly entered into an unfair contract. This raises questions about your honesty. Therefore, the court forbids you from opening any more contracts until your existing ones are investigated. Take him, gentlemen!
The Reward and the Conclusion
Antonio was sad, believing he had lost all his ships. Bassanio took him home, trying to console him.
— I've lost all my ships! — Yes, I'm afraid so! — And why are you laughing? — Just a moment, Antonio! — Bassanio, who was the lawyer who defended me in the courtroom? — Do you want to meet him? Here he is! Here she is, in fact! — Portia! It was you! — Yes! I'm sorry for your losses! — What's wrong with you two? Why are you laughing? I've lost my ships! — No! You haven't lost anything! — A terrible storm hit the Mediterranean coast at 3 PM. — That's only half the message. Look at the other half. — But don't worry, Mr. Antonio. We left there around 10 AM, long before. All your ships are fine. They will arrive in Venice on the 20th of this month. But... — I only showed Shylock half the message. And the judge wanted to teach Shylock a lesson, and when I only showed Shylock the first page, he didn't say anything. Shylock will never say "a deal's a deal, a promise is a promise" again! — Hahahahaha! — Portia! My friend Bassanio is a very lucky man for marrying such an intelligent and brave woman like you. Thank you!
The moral of the story is that kindness and intelligence can overcome greed and wickedness. Even in the face of seemingly hopeless situations, a sharp mind and a generous heart can find solutions and bring justice.
