Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: The Merchant of Venice

Portia, a wealthy heiress of Belmont, is forced to set up a challenge for her suitors, who are looking to have her hand in marriage. The winner will have the chance to marry her, but the losers will not only lose her hand in marriage — but much more.

In Venice, Bassanio borrows money from his friend Antonio to finance his attempt to marry Portia. To get the money for his friend, Antonio takes out a loan from a moneylender called Shylock. The loan is planned to be repaid once Antonio’s ships return to the city, but if the ships fail to return and the money cannot be repaid, Antonio will have to give Shylock a pound of his own flesh.