The Merchant of Venice By William Shakespeare / A Pound of Flesh / The Three Caskets / The Trial / Drama

The Merchant of Venice

By William Shakespeare

Instruction

·         Pacing the 10 Minutes: Because this script is larger and more detailed, you must memorize your lines well. Do not speak too fast, but make sure the transitions between scenes are very quick.

·         Acting the Emotions: The brackets (like this) tell you exactly how to stand, move, and feel. Use your whole body to act! When Shylock is angry, he must look truly scary. When Bassanio is sad, he should look like his heart is broken.

·         Props to Prepare:

o    Three decorated boxes (Gold, Silver, and plain Lead).

o    A rolled paper for the "bond".

o    A folded paper for the messenger's letter.

o    A safe, fake toy knife for Shylock.

o    A judge's chair placed on a high table or platform for the Duke.

DRAMA SCRIPT: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

CHARACTERS:

·         NARRATOR: The storyteller. Speaks clearly and loudly to the audience.

·         ANTONIO: A very rich, kind, and honest merchant of Venice.

·         BASSANIO: Antonio’s best friend. Handsome, noble, and loves a luxurious life.

·         SHYLOCK: A very crooked, hateful moneylender. Walks with a hunch and looks greedy.

·         PORTIA: A beautiful, wise, and wealthy lady from Belmont.

·         PRINCE OF MOROCCO: A suitor. Very proud.

·         PRINCE OF SPAIN: A suitor. Has a very high opinion of himself.

·         MESSENGER: Looks panicked and rushed.

·         DUKE: The judge of Venice. Looks serious but very sad.

·         CLERK (PORTIA'S FRIEND): Dressed in a disguise as a young male clerk.

SCENE 1: A DESPERATE FRIEND

(Situation: A bright street in Venice. Antonio is standing at the center of the stage, smiling and looking out at the audience, pretending to watch his ships. Bassanio runs onto the stage. He looks very worried and grabs Antonio's arm.)

NARRATOR: Once upon a time in Venice, Italy, there was a very rich merchant named Antonio. He was a good and kind man who always helped the poor. Antonio had a close friend named Bassanio, a handsome young man who loved grandeur and style. Because Bassanio lived a very luxurious life, he spent more money than he earned.

BASSANIO: (Pleading, looking deeply into Antonio's eyes) Dear friend Antonio, I am in great need of some money!.

ANTONIO: (Smiling, putting a kind hand on Bassanio's shoulder) What is the matter, my friend? You know I will help you.

BASSANIO: (Speaking passionately with his hands) I have fallen in love with a wealthy lady named Portia. She is known not only for her beauty but also for her wisdom!. I know she is soft towards me too.

ANTONIO: That is wonderful news!

BASSANIO: (Dropping his head in sadness) But I would like to visit Portia at Belmont, grandly dressed and with many servants. And I don't have any money right now. Please, help me to fulfill my intention.

ANTONIO: (Laughing softly) This is not a problem, my friend. How much do you need?.

BASSANIO: (Looking hopeful again) Three thousand ducats will do.

ANTONIO: (Looks thoughtful, rubbing his chin) I don't have that much money with me now, as all my ships have gone out in the sea with merchandise. (He smiles bravely) But don't worry, my friend, I'll arrange three thousand ducats for you.

SCENE 2: THE CROOKED MONEYLENDER

(Situation: A dark corner of the street. Shylock enters. He is hunched over, rubbing his hands together. He glares angrily at Antonio. Antonio stands tall and brave. Bassanio hides slightly behind Antonio.)

NARRATOR: Antonio decided to borrow the sum from a moneylender named Shylock. Shylock was a very crooked man. Shylock and Antonio hated each other. Shylock used to lend money with high interest, and would even send the debtor to prison!. On the contrary, Antonio lent money to help people and would not charge any interest.

SHYLOCK: (Speaking in a low, dangerous voice, staring at Antonio) You ask me for money? I agree to lend you money, but on one condition.

ANTONIO: (Standing firmly) Tell me your condition, Shylock.

SHYLOCK: (Smiling an evil, terrifying smile) If you fail to repay the money in three month's time, you will pay a penalty. I will cut a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio's body!.

BASSANIO: (Jumps forward, waving his hands in panic) No! You cannot agree to this! It is a trick!

ANTONIO: (Puts his hand up to stop Bassanio, speaking with total confidence) Do not fear. I willingly agree. My ships will soon return with all the rich merchandise, and I can easily return the money to Shylock by selling them.

NARRATOR: Shylock made Antonio sign a bond before giving him the money. (Shylock hands Antonio a paper. Antonio signs it. Shylock hands Bassanio a bag of money and walks away laughing evilly.) Antonio took the money and gave it to Bassanio.

SCENE 3: THE THREE CASKETS

(Situation: A grand room in Belmont. Portia is standing gracefully next to a table. On the table are three boxes: Gold, Silver, and Lead. The Prince of Morocco steps up. He walks like a very proud king.)

NARRATOR: Bassanio went to Belmont to visit Portia grandly dressed, with many servants. But before Portia's father died, he had thought of an unusual plan to find a good husband for his daughter. He wanted a man to marry Portia for herself and not for her wealth. He had three caskets made: one of gold, one of silver and one of lead. The suitor who would first choose the casket with Portia's portrait in it would marry her.

PRINCE OF MOROCCO: (Looking at the caskets, speaking loudly and proudly) Silver and lead are poor metals. It is the casket made of precious metal that can hold the precious picture. So I choose the gold casket!.

(He opens the gold box. His proud face turns into complete horror.)

PRINCE OF MOROCCO: (Holding up a picture, almost crying) What is this?! All I found was a picture of a skull!. It has a message that says, "All that glitters is not gold.". (He hangs his head in deep sadness and slowly walks off the stage).

(The Prince of Spain marches onto the stage. He looks very arrogant, lifting his nose in the air.)

PRINCE OF SPAIN: (Looking down at the boxes with a highly opinionated face) I have a very high opinion about myself. I deserve the best!. On the silver casket it is written, "He who chooses me will get what he deserves.". I therefore choose the silver casket!.

(He opens the silver box. He gasps and looks extremely insulted.)

PRINCE OF SPAIN: (Shouting in anger) Inside the casket is the picture of a blinking fool!. I am disappointed and offended!. (He immediately spins around and storms off the stage).

SCENE 4: JOY TURNS TO SORROW

(Situation: Bassanio steps up to the table. He looks deeply at the caskets, taking his time. Portia watches him nervously but softly.)

BASSANIO: (Speaking wisely, pacing back and forth) Appearances are often misleading. Bad men appear good and they hide their inner ugliness under fine clothes. So I choose the plain looking lead casket!.

(He opens the lead box. His face lights up with a massive smile.)

BASSANIO: (Holding up the picture) I found the portrait of Portia inside!.

PORTIA: (Clapping her hands together in joy) Oh, wonderful!

NARRATOR: Bassanio and Portia got married, and the newly married couple were spending their time happily. But soon their happiness turned into sorrow by a piece of news.

(A Messenger runs onto the stage, out of breath. He falls to his knees and hands a folded letter to Bassanio.)

MESSENGER: (Panting heavily) A letter from Antonio, sir!.

BASSANIO: (Opens the letter. As he reads, his body shakes and he looks terrified) Oh no! Listen to this! "Dear friend Bassanio, all my ships have been lost at sea.". "I cannot pay the money I owe to Shylock. So I have to pay the penalty.".

PORTIA: (Gasping) The penalty!

BASSANIO: (Tears in his eyes) He writes, "Dear friend, come and see me if possible. I would like to see you once before I die.". (Turns to Portia desperately) I must quickly leave for Venice!.

SCENE 5: THE COURT OF JUSTICE

(Situation: The Courtroom. The Duke sits very high up. Antonio stands looking helpless and sad. Shylock stands on the other side holding a large, fake knife, looking extremely eager and happy. Bassanio runs into the room.)

NARRATOR: When Bassanio reached Venice, Antonio was already in the court of justice. They were waiting for the trial to begin. The Duke entered the courtroom, took his seat and the trial began.

DUKE: (Leaning forward, speaking with a gentle, begging voice) Shylock, I request you to be merciful and not to claim your pound of flesh.

SHYLOCK: (Shaking his head violently, shouting) I will not listen!. I claim my pound of flesh! The law is on my side. Antonio must pay the penalty written in the bond!. 

BASSANIO: (Running up to Shylock, falling to his knees and holding out a bag of money) Shylock, please! I offer you twice the amount of money that you lent Antonio!. Take it!

SHYLOCK: (Kicking the bag away) I do not accept it!.

NARRATOR: The Duke was extremely sorry that he could do nothing to help Antonio. The law was on Shylock's side and the law must be abided.

(The Clerk enters. He is dressed like a young boy, but it is actually Portia's friend. He bows to the Duke and hands him a letter.)

CLERK: Your Grace! The wisest lawyer in Venice is ill and would not be able to come to the court. He requests you to let his young friend, Doctor Balthazar, defend Antonio.

DUKE: (Looking doubtful but desperate) I give my permission. Enter, Doctor Balthazar!.

SCENE 6: THE WISE LAWYER'S TRICK

(Situation: Portia enters. She is disguised in a large, dark lawyer’s robe, hiding her hair. She stands very tall and confident.)

NARRATOR: The young lawyer looked very young, and the Duke doubted if his wisdom could save Antonio. But this young lawyer was no other than Portia in disguise!.

PORTIA: (Turns to Shylock, speaking in a deep, powerful voice) Shylock, I beg you to be merciful. Mercy brings a blessing to him who shows it and to him who receives it. All of us pray to God for mercy. But God will only have mercy on us if we have mercy on others.

SHYLOCK: (Turning his back to her, crossing his arms) I pay no heed to you! All I want is my pound of flesh!.

PORTIA: (Looking at Bassanio) Can't Antonio pay the debt?.

BASSANIO: (Crying out with great passion) Yes, he can pay it, and even more!. Even I can pay ten times the sum my friend borrowed from Shylock!.

PORTIA: (Stepping closer to Shylock) Won't you take the money, Shylock?.

 SHYLOCK: (Waving his knife in the air) No, I demand the lawful penalty!. Give me my pound of flesh!.

PORTIA: Let me see the bond Shylock. (Shylock hands her the rolled paper. She reads it with great attention. The whole courtroom is silent and terrified.) You are right Shylock. The law is on your side. You can claim the flesh. (She lowers her voice softly) But I would request you one more time to accept the sum Bassanio is offering you, and let me tear up the bond.

 SHYLOCK: (Stomping his foot) I will not give up my claim!.

 PORTIA: (Sighs heavily, turns to Antonio) Get ready Antonio for Shylock to cut his pound of flesh. The law gives it to him.

 SHYLOCK: (Jumping in the air, filled with extreme joy. He praises Portia loudly) Oh noble judge!. Oh excellent young man, you are a second Daniel, who has come to this earth!.

 PORTIA: Cut the pound of flesh you demanded.

 (Situation: VERY DRAMATIC. The courtroom freezes. Shylock walks very slowly towards Antonio. He smiles an evil smile. He raises his knife high into the air. Bassanio covers his eyes.)

SHYLOCK: Uncover your chest!.

 (He is just about to strike the knife down...)

PORTIA: (Points her finger at Shylock and shouts with a booming voice) WAIT A SECOND, SHYLOCK!.

 (Shylock freezes like a statue. Everyone opens their eyes and looks at Portia.)

PORTIA: (Smiling a very clever smile) Never forget - there is no mention of blood in the bond. Therefore, you cannot shed a single drop of blood while you cut your pound of flesh; or else you pay the penalty!. And the penalty is, the state will take your property from you!. You lose everything that you have now, Shylock!.

 (Situation: Shylock drops the knife on the floor with a loud CLATTER. His eyes are wide with shock and fear.)

SHYLOCK: (Stuttering, stepping backward) It... it is not possible for me to cut a pound of flesh without shedding blood!.

 NARRATOR: Shylock understood he was defeated by the wise lawyer.

 (Shylock hangs his head down so low it touches his chest. He looks completely broken. Without another word, he slowly walks out of the courtroom, dragging his feet in defeat).

 NARRATOR: Thus Antonio's life was saved!.

 (Bassanio jumps up and hugs Antonio tightly. The Duke claps his hands. Portia winks at the audience. All characters come to the center of the stage, hold hands, and take a deep bow.)

[THE END]