To pursue Portia, a wealthy noblewoman, Bassanio, a not-so-wealthy nobleman in Venice, asks his cherished friend and wealthy merchant Antonio for a loan. Because all of his ships are at sea, Antonio has no cash on hand, but he allows Bassanio to borrow as much money as he needs on Antonio’s credit.

Meanwhile, Portia complains to her maid Nerissa about her father’s will, which specifies that any man who wishes to marry her must solve a mystery by selecting one of three “caskets,” or chests, at her nearby rural estate of Belmont (one gold, one silver, and one lead). Only the man who makes the correct decision will marry Portia.Portia’s possible partners have all made her feel repelled. However, Nerissa reminds Portia of Bassanio, a perfect Venetian match.

Bassanio seeks a loan of 3000 ducats from the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. After much debate, Shylock accepts Antonio’s offer to guarantee the loan and pledge his land as security. But when Antonio appears and begins criticizing Shylock for committing usury (adding interest to his loans), Shylock suggests an implausible remedy. For three months, he will not charge Bassanio any interest.

If Antonio fails to pay, Shylock is free to take one pound of flesh from any portion of Antonio’s body he wants. Antonio agrees, knowing that his ships will arrive in Venice with many times 3000 ducats, far before Shylock’s deadline.

The Prince of Morocco arrives to Belmont to investigate the mystery of the coffins. He makes the incorrect selection (gold) and gives up. Lorenzo, Bassanio’s close friend, has fallen in love with Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, while she is in Venice. When Shylock leaves one evening, Jessica steals a large sum of money from her father and, as planned, elopes with Lorenzo. Bassanio then leads a number of individuals, including Lorenzo and Jessica, to Portia’s residence.

The Prince of Aragon, Portia’s suitor, attempts to solve the mystery of the caskets. He picks on silver after much deliberation, which is incorrect. Bassanio arrives with gifts for Portia just as the Prince of Aragon is ready to depart. After several weeks, word arrives that Antonio’s ships have perished at sea. Even though Shylock has been unable to locate Jessica, he soothes himself by believing that he will receive the pound of flesh assured by his agreement with Antonio.

After spending so much time together, Portia and Bassanio fell in love back at Belmont. Because she cannot bear the thought of losing Bassanio if he makes an incorrect guess, Portia advises him to wait before attempting to solve the puzzle. However, he is adamant about continuing. To their joy, he chooses the right coffin (lead). Portia gives him a ring to signify their engagement and tells him to keep it safe at all times. Then Gratiano, a vulgar friend of Nerissa and Bassanio, announces that they, too, will marry.

However, just then, Antonio writes a letter informing Shylock of his missing ships and his plot to obtain his pound of flesh. Portia, who is frightened, offers Bassanio enough money to repay the loan several times over.Portia devises her own plan to save Antonio as Bassanio rushes out to Venice.

The Duke is presiding over Antonio’s trial in the Venice Court. Despite Bassanio’s offer of 9000 ducats in exchange for clemency, Shylock refuses to compromise and pursues his “pound of flesh.” Nerissa and Portia, a lawyer and a law clerk, arrive on the scene. Portia emphasizes that Shylock is bound by a contract that prohibits him from taking blood from Antonio, and that the state will seize all of Shylock’s wealth if he pulls even a single drop of blood while slashing Antonio’s flesh.

When she finds Shylock guilty of plotting to murder a Venetian citizen, she orders him to give half of his money to Antonio and half to the state. But Antonio and the Duke agree to be kind: Shylock must only give Antonio half of his money and promise to leave the other half to Jessica and Lorenzo after his death. Shylock should also accept Christianity. Shylock, horrified, gives his agreement.

Bassanio tries to give Portia money as she leaves in appreciation for her favorable verdict, but he still believes she is Balthazar, the attorney. She declines, instead requesting the ring he is wearing in its place. Bassanio considers his commitment to never leave with it. But Antonio persisted, and eventually he gave in. Additionally, Gratiano hands Nerissa his ring.Lorenzo and Jessica had enjoyed a beautiful evening together at Belmont.

Bassanio, Gratiano, and Antonio arrive just before morning, followed by Portia and Nerissa. The wives are unhappy that their husbands have misplaced their wedding bands. They swiftly ended the game and admitted their involvement in the courtroom scene. The couples reconcile as word spreads that Antonio’s missing ships have safely returned to port with tremendous wealth.