The name of Sergei Timofeevich Aksakov, first of all, is inextricably linked with the "Childhood of Bagrov-grandson" and "The Scarlet Flower". These works occupy a separate place not only in Russian, but also in world literature.
The creative "range" of Sergei Timofeevich Aksakov is much wider. Being an avid fisherman and hunter, he embodies all his accumulated wealth of experience in Notes on Fishing, published in 1847, Notes of a Rifle Hunter in the Orenburg Province (1852), Stories and Memoirs of a Hunter about Various Hunts (1855).
A talented literary and theatrical critic, Aksakov subtly notes the nuances of theatrical life, which he then sets out in Literary and Theatrical Memoirs (1858). According to many literary critics, Aksakov's "Family Chronicle" is filled with immense depth and breadth of narration, which gives significance to the small world of the "chronicle". Unfortunately, due to illness, the "History of my acquaintance with Gogol" remained unfinished, which, undoubtedly, could become the "pearl" of S.T. Aksakov.
In the works of S.T. Aksakov, the reader discovers the uncomplicated, simple and measured way of several generations of the family, picturesque pictures of nature. The language of Aksakov's works is pure, easy and perfect.
Sergei Timofeevich Aksakov was born in 1791 in Ufa. His father, Timofei Stepanovich, served as a prosecutor, his mother, Maria Nikolaevna, a hereditary aristocrat, was very smart and well-read. Sergei not only loved, but rather idolized his mother, responding to her lacquer, love and friendship. Under the influence of his mother, Sergei is fond of literature, tries to notice interesting facts in nature, develops a sense of beauty.
Sergei Aksakov's childhood passed on his father's estate - Novo-Aksakovo, Orenburg province.
After home schooling, the boy enters the Kazan gymnasium, he continues his studies at Kazan University. In the gymnasium, his poetic talent wakes up, and he begins to write poetry. As a student, he goes headlong into the performances of the student theater, reciting poetry. The fame of the young reader spreads throughout Russia, and even Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin wished the young man to come to St. Petersburg as soon as possible to hear his reading.
The Petersburg life of 17-year-old Sergey Aksakov begins with entering the service as a government official. In the northern capital, he is introduced to G.R. Derzhavin, A.S. Shishkov, he begins to attend Shishkov’s “Conversation of Russian Word Lovers”. Then, in 1811, Aksakov moved to Moscow, where he began translating the plays of Schiller, Molière, Boileau, and became a member of Moscow's close theatrical circle, acting as a theater critic.
In 1812, Aksakov's first fable "Three Canaries" was published.
Moscow life is to Aksakov's liking, he becomes the center of the theatrical and literary life of the capital. Young wife, O.S. Zaplatina, whom Aksakov brought to the house in 1816, proves to be a hospitable hostess. For many years, all of Moscow knew about Aksakov's "subbotniks", where the whole "flower" of culture and art gathered. Actors, historians, writers, university professors were frequent guests of the Aksakovs. Since the spring of 1832, N.V. Gogol, who will remain attached to this family throughout his life.
With the maturation of the sons, Konstantin and Ivan, another society begins to gather in the Aksakovs' house. Artists are replaced by Slavophiles. Sergei Timofeevich takes an active part in disputes with A.S. Khomyakov, brothers Kireevsky.
In 1837, Sergei Timofeevich moved to the Abramtsevo estate, which he had recently bought, in order to begin work on the Family Chronicle in peace and quiet. Problems with vision prompt Sergei Timofeevich to make a decision to formalize his thoughts into works. He, Aksakov, in the epigraph to Notes on Fishing, writes that he is going to retire in the bosom of nature in peace and quiet. This is a clearly outlined line of all his further work. Then, with an interval of three years, he publishes "Notes of a rifle hunter of the Orenburg province" and "Stories and memories of a hunter about different hunts." This trilogy is a unique collection of cases from the life of hunters, hunting and fishing tales, observations of nature.
In 1856, "Family Chronicles" were published, telling about the unhurried patriarchal life of three generations of the nobles of the Bagrovs. Continuation of the Chronicle" are "Childhood of Bagrov-grandson". "Family Chronicle" "Childhood" is inferior in literary terms, but is a unique book about the life of a child from 1 to 9 years old. It was conceived as a book for Olenka's granddaughter, but in the process of creation it grew into a chronicle of a child's life in the bosom of Russian nature, in an 18th century estate.
An indescribably wonderful children's world opens up to the reader, full of new everyday impressions and experiences. The reader sees the world through the eyes of a growing child, naive, vulnerable, finding an opening in every leaf. With childish immediacy, the reader begins to see the world through the eyes of a child: bright, endless, huge. Each event for Seryozha is an important moment in life, whether it is the death of a grandfather or the birth of a brother.
The protagonist of the story - Seryozha - is autobiographical. He loves and understands nature. For him, every moment of her birth and awakening is important. Moreover, nature itself is the self-acting hero of the story, filling the world with the lace of the spring forest and the fragrant smells of the river. Even now, in the 21st century, “Childhood of Bagrov the Grandson” is one of the recognized standards of Russian literature.
The language of Aksakov's works is unique and multifaceted. His contemporaries, writers and literary critics spoke enthusiastically about him.
Aksakov died from a serious illness on April 30, 1859 in Moscow.
We draw your attention to the fact that the biography of Sergei Timofeevich Aksakov presents the most basic moments from life. Some minor life events may be omitted from this biography.
The Venetian merchant Antonio is sad for no reason. Close friends of Salanio and Salarino suggest that it's all about unrequited love or the usual worry about ships with goods. Antonio rejects these options.
The closest friend and relative of Bassanio asks Antonio for money to go to Belmont to his beloved Portia. He is sure that the matchmaking will be successful. Antonio has no money to give to a friend and he offers to take out a loan in his name.
And Portia says to the maid that she has no right to choose her groom. Anyone who can guess in which casket her portrait is located will become a husband, such is the will of the father. There are three such caskets - silver, lead and gold. Whatever suitors the maid proposes, they are all venomously ridiculed by Portia, only Bassanio evokes fond memories in her.
Bassanio, meanwhile, takes three thousand ducats from the moneylender Shylock of Jewish nationality. Antonio acts as a guarantor. If in a month Bassanio does not return the money, then Shylock wants to receive a pound of meat from the guarantor for a penalty. And Shylock hated Antonio because he despised him, and therefore he would offer such a deal. Antonio, on the other hand, was sure that the ships would arrive on time, and he would give the money at the right time.
Jessica is ashamed of her father's profession, Shylock, and therefore sends a secret letter to her lover Lorenzo through the servant Lancelot. The letter contains an escape plan.
Jessica disguises herself as a page and flees with her father's jewelry and money. Gratiano and Bassanio set sail in haste for Belmote.
Meanwhile, suitors come to Portia to woo, among them the Prince of Moroccan and the Prince of Aragon. They take an oath that they will no longer marry a single girl if they cannot give the correct answer, but not one of them guesses in which casket Portia's portrait.
Shylock, having learned about the act of his daughter, is furious, Salani and Salario do not lose the opportunity to make fun of him. And they say that even if Antonio's ships do not arrive on time, the usurer will still not take meat from him, what will it be good for him? But the enraged Shylock decided to go to the end and avenge his shame and obstacle in his affairs. As the two friends leave, Tubal, his servant, comes to the usurer. His news is not comforting - he could not find his runaway daughter. All he managed to find out was that Jessica was squandering her father's property, even the ring that her dying wife gave Shylock, the daughter exchanged for a monkey. Father curses Jessica. His only consolation is the opportunity to pour out his grief and anger on Antonio.
Bassanio has arrived at Belmont and, like other applicants, must pass the test. Portia worries that he will make the wrong choice, but the lover chooses a lead chest containing a portrait of a girl, and preparations for the wedding begin.
Portia's maid Nerissa and Gratiano also fell in love and got married. Two girls give their fiancés rings as a token of love.
Having learned that the ships were lost, and Shylock demands to pay a penalty, Gratiano and Bassanio return to Venice.
Portia and her maid draw up her plan, she takes a man's dress and papers from her cousin, a doctor of law, and goes to Belmont.
Shylock enjoys triumph, the law is completely on his side, and he does not want to receive material compensation even in double size, he will be cruel to the end, and it will not be possible to soften him, he is already sharpening his knife.
At this time, it is announced that Dr. Balthasar from Rome will lead the process. Disguised as the Doctor, Portia tries to pity Shylock, but to no avail and admits that the law is on his side. At the same time, the judge reminds the usurer that he should take only meat, not blood, and besides, exactly one pound. If he violates the terms of the contract, then, as the violator, he himself will be punished by law. Shylock understands that he will not be able to fulfill these conditions, and therefore he must give Antonio half of his property. The noble Antonio did not use this right, but the condition was that Lorenzo receive this part after the death of Shylock, and the usurer himself must convert to Christianity. The poor fellow had to agree to all conditions.
Girls in disguise lure rings from their husbands as payment for their work. In the evening, the girls blame their husbands for giving their rings to other women and not wanting to accept any excuses. They joke that they will share the bed with the scribe and the judge in order to return their rings, and then they say that they have already done this and show the jewelry as evidence. The husbands are horrified, but the girls confess their prank.
Antonio receives a letter with information that his ships are intact, and Jessica and Lorenzo receive a deed to their father's inheritance.
Anything can happen in a person's life, but if he has real friends, he will cope with all difficulties.
A picture or drawing of a Merchant of Venice
Other retellings and reviews for the reader's diary
- Summary of Aitmatov Scaffold
Obadiah - was the son of a priest, was also among the hunters. Obadiah pursued the goal of convincing the messengers for marijuana to leave this bad deed. So he infiltrates the group and goes with them for marijuana
An event occurs in a small village: a new tutor appears. His appearance violates the life of the Islaevs' estate that has developed over the years. From the first days, the new teacher interested the children, ten-year-old Kolya and seventeen-year-old Vera
William Shakespeare
"The Merchant of Venice"
Summary
The Venetian merchant Antonio is tormented by causeless sadness. His friends, Salarino and Salanio, try to explain it as a concern for the ships with goods or an unhappy love. But Antonio rejects both explanations. Accompanied by Gratiano and Lorenzo, Antonio's relative and closest friend, Bassanio, appears. Salarino and Salanio exit. Joker Gratiano tries to cheer up Antonio, but when this fails (“The world is a stage where everyone has a role,” Antonio says, “mine is sad”), Graziano leaves with Lorenzo. Alone with his friend Bassanio, he admits that, leading a carefree lifestyle, he was left completely without funds and is forced to again ask Antonio for money in order to go to Belmont, the estate of Portia, a wealthy heiress, in whose beauty and virtue he is passionately in love and in the success of his matchmaking to which I am sure. Antonio does not have cash, but he invites a friend to find a loan in his, Antonio, name.
Meanwhile, in Belmont, Portia complains to her maid Nerissa ("Black") that, according to her father's will, she can neither choose nor reject the groom herself. Her husband will be the one who guesses correctly, choosing from three caskets - gold, silver and lead, in which her portrait is located. Nerissa begins to list numerous suitors - Portia sarcastically ridicules everyone. Only Bassanio, a scientist and warrior who once visited her father, she remembers with tenderness.
In Venice, Bassanio asks the merchant Shylock to lend him three thousand ducats for three months under the guarantee of Antonio. Shylock knows that the entire fortune of the surety is entrusted to the sea. In a conversation with Antonio who appeared, whom he fiercely hates for contempt for his people and for his occupation - usury, Shylock recalls the countless insults that Antonio subjected him to. But since Antonio himself lends without interest, Shylock, wanting to gain his friendship, will also give him a loan without interest, only on a comic security - a pound of Antonio's meat, which Shylock can cut from any part of the merchant's body as a penalty. Antonio is delighted with the joke and kindness of the pawnbroker. Bassanio is full of forebodings and asks not to make deals. Shylock assures him that such a pledge would be of no use to him anyway, and Antonio reminds him that his ships will arrive long before the due date.
The Prince of Morocco arrives at Portia's house to choose one of the chests. He gives, as the conditions of the test require, an oath: in case of failure, he will not marry any of the women again.
In Venice, Shylock's servant Lancelot Gobbo, incessantly joking, convinces himself to run away from his master. Having met his blind father, he plays a long prank on him, then dedicates his intention to be hired as a servant to Bassanio, known for his generosity. Bassanio agrees to take Lancelot into service. He also agrees to Gratiano's request to take him with him to Belmont. In the house of Shylock, Lancelot says goodbye to the daughter of the former owner - Jessica. They exchange jokes. Jessica is ashamed of her father. Lancelot undertakes to secretly deliver a letter to her beloved Jessica Lorenzo with a plan to escape from home. Disguised as a page and taking her father's money and jewelry with her, Jessica runs away with Lorenzo with the help of his friends Gratiano and Salarino. Bassanio and Gratiano hasten to set sail with a fair wind for Belmont.
In Belmont, the Moroccan prince chooses a gold box - a precious pearl, in his opinion, cannot be enclosed in a different frame - with the inscription: "With me you will get what many desire." But in it is not a portrait of a beloved, but a skull and edifying verses. The prince is forced to leave.
In Venice, Salarino and Salanio laugh at Shylock's fury when he learns that his daughter has robbed him and run off with a Christian. “Oh my daughter! My ducats! Daughter / Ran away with a Christian! Gone / Christian ducats! Where is the court? groans Shylock. At the same time, they discuss aloud that one of Antonio's ships sank in the English Channel.
Belmont has a new challenger, the Prince of Aragon. He chooses a silver chest with the inscription: "With me you will get what you deserve." It contains an image of a stupid face and mocking verses. The prince leaves. The servant announces the arrival of the young Venetian and the rich gifts he has sent. Nerissa hopes it's Bassanio.
Salarino and Salanio discuss the new losses of Antonio, whose nobility and kindness both admire. When Shylock appears, they first mock his losses, then express their confidence that if Antonio is past due, the moneylender will not demand his meat: what is it good for? In response, Shylock says: "He disgraced me,<…>hindered my affairs, cooled my friends, inflamed my enemies; And what was his reason for doing so? The one that I'm a Jew. Doesn't a Jew have eyes?<…>If we are pricked, don't we bleed?<…>If we are poisoned, don't we die? And if we are offended, shouldn't we take revenge?<…>You teach us vileness - I will fulfill it ... "
Exeunt Salarino and Salario. The Jew Tubal appears, whom Shylock sent in search of his daughter. But Tubal could not find her. He only recounts the rumors about Jessica's prodigality. Shylock is horrified at the loss. Upon learning that his daughter has exchanged the ring given to him by his late wife for a monkey, Shylock sends a curse to Jessica. The only thing that consoles him is the rumors about the losses of Antonio, on which he firmly intends to take out his anger and grief.
In Belmont, Portia persuades Bassanio to delay his choice, she is afraid of losing him in case of a mistake. Bassanio wants to immediately try his luck. Exchanging witty remarks, young people confess their love to each other. They bring chests. Bassanio rejects gold and silver - outward brilliance is deceptive. He chooses a lead chest with the inscription: “With me you will give everything, risking everything you have” - it contains a portrait of Portia and a poetic congratulation. Portia and Bassanio are preparing for the wedding, as are Nerissa and Gratiano, who have fallen in love with each other. Portia gives the groom a ring and takes an oath from him to keep it as a guarantee of mutual love. Nerissa makes the same gift to the betrothed. Lorenzo appears with Jessica and a messenger who brought a letter from Antonio. The merchant reports that all his ships were lost, he is ruined, the moneylender's bill is overdue, Shylock demands payment of a monstrous penalty. Antonio asks his friend not to blame himself for his misfortunes, but to come and see him before he dies. Portia insists that the groom immediately go to the aid of the Friend, offering Shylock any money for his life. Bassanio and Gratiano go to Venice.
In Venice, Shylock revels in the thought of revenge - after all, the law is on his side. Antonio understands that the law cannot be broken, he is ready for inevitable death and only dreams of seeing Bassanio.
In Belmont, Portia entrusts her estate to Lorenzo, and herself, together with a maid, allegedly retires to a monastery for prayer. In fact, she is going to Venice. She sends a servant to Padua to her cousin Bellario, doctor of law, who must provide her with papers and a man's dress. Lancelot makes fun of Jessica and her conversion to Christianity. Lorenzo, Jessica and Lancelot exchange joking remarks, trying to outdo each other in wit.
Shylock enjoys his triumph in court. The Doge's appeals for mercy, Bassanio's offers to pay double the debt - nothing softens his cruelty. In response to reproaches, he refers to the law and, in turn, reproaches Christians for the fact that they have slavery. The Doge asks for the introduction of Dr. Bellario, whom he wants to consult before making a decision. Bassanio and Antonio try to cheer each other up. Everyone is ready to sacrifice themselves. Shylock sharpens a knife. The scribe enters. This is Nerissa in disguise. In the letter she sent, Bellario, referring to ill health, recommends the doge to conduct the process of his young, but unusually learned colleague, Dr. Balthazar from Rome. The Doctor is, of course, Portia in disguise. She initially tries to appease Shylock, but when she is refused, she admits that the law is on the pawnbroker's side. Shylock extols the wisdom of the young judge. Antonio says goodbye to a friend. Bassanio is in despair. He is ready to sacrifice everything, even his beloved wife, if only it would save Antonio. Gratiano is ready for the same. Shylock condemns the fragility of Christian marriages. He is ready to begin his heinous work. At the last moment, the "judge" stops him, reminding him that he must take only the merchant's meat, without shedding a single drop of blood, moreover, exactly a pound - no more, no less. If these conditions are violated, a cruel punishment awaits him according to the law, Shylock agrees to pay a triple amount of the debt - the judge refuses: there is not a word about this in the bill, the Jew has already refused the money before the court. Shylock agrees to pay only one debt - another refusal. Moreover, according to the Venetian laws, for an attempt on a citizen of the republic, Shylock must give him half of his property, the second goes as a fine to the treasury, while the life of the criminal depends on the grace of the Doge. Shylock refuses to beg for mercy. And yet his life is spared, and the requisition is replaced by a fine. The magnanimous Antonio refuses the half due to him on the condition that after the death of Shylock it will be bequeathed to Lorenzo. However, Shylock must immediately convert to Christianity and bequeath all his property to his daughter and son-in-law. Shylock, in desperation, agrees to everything. As a reward, imaginary judges lure rings from their fooled husbands.
On a moonlit night in Belmonte, Lorenzo and Jessica, preparing for the return of their owners, order the musicians to play in the garden.
Portia, Nerissa, their husbands, Gratiano, Antonio converge in the night garden. After an exchange of pleasantries, it turns out that the young husbands have lost the gift rings. Wives insist that the pledges of their love were given to women, husbands swear that this is not so, justify themselves with all their might - all in vain. Continuing the prank, the women promise to share the bed with the judge and his scribe in order to return their gifts. Then they report that this has already happened, and show the rings. The husbands are horrified. Portia and Nerissa confess to the prank. Portia gives Antonio a letter that fell into her hands, informing her that all his ships are intact. Nerissa gives Lorenzo and Jessica the deed by which Shylock denies them all his wealth. Everyone goes to the house to find out the details of the adventures of Portia and Nerissa.
Merchant Venetian Antonio was enveloped in sadness. Salanio and Salarino, the merchant's friends, start listing options that could upset their friend, but none of them fit. They leave, but Antonio's friend Bassanio arrives. He asks to borrow money so that he could go to Belmont to a rich heiress, with whom he is very much in love and intends to marry her. The merchant does not have cash with him, and he invites his friend to take a cash loan from his Antonio - the amount he needs for the journey and matchmaking.
In Belmont, the maid Portia Nerissa listens to the mistress's complaints about suitors. The father bequeathed that Portia did not have the right to reject or choose the groom. If a person comes to woo and guesses in which of the three caskets her photograph is hidden, then according to the will of her father, he will become her husband. Only one Bassanio, whom she saw with her father, when Bassanio came to visit him, attracted the girl's heart. Nails the prince of Morocco to experience happiness with caskets. He is informed that under the condition, if he does not find a portrait, he loses the right to woo women. After weighing everything, he, based on his opinion about the values, chooses a golden box. But he does not find the portrait of Portia in it when he dug it up, and is forced to hoot, disappointed, by the lady.
Meanwhile, in Venice, Lancelot Gobbo, serving the usurer Shylock, decides to leave the owner and serve, how true the rumors are, the good Bassanio. He takes Lancelot to his service, and agrees to take him with him to Belmont. Shylock's daughter Jessica herself, who does not like her father's craft, runs away from home with her beloved Lorenzo, taking with her some money and her father's jewelry.
Another suitor, the Prince of Aragon, comes to Portia in Belmont, but he also fails. Here the servant informs the mistress that a ship from Venice has arrived at the port, on board of which Bassanio, who wants to marry the princess. Portia is very afraid that the betrothed will not be able to choose the right casket, trying to dissuade him, or at least wait. A very serious and cordial conversation flares up between them, at the end of which they confess their love to each other. Unable to endure it any longer, Basanio asks for the caskets to be brought in. They are made of three types: gold, silver and lead. Thinking that in feelings it is necessary to throw away the external brilliance, Bassanio opens the lead one and takes out a portrait of Portia from it. The girl is immensely happy that her beloved coped with the task and the young people announce their engagement. Jessica and Lorenzo come to Bassanio, who brought a message from Antonio that all his ships sank, none reached the shore, he became a beggar, overdue the payment of the debt to Shylock, for which he demands a huge penalty. Portia insists that if not for Antonio, she would not have met her beloved, and insists that Bassanio return to his friend and pay off all his debts to Shylock. All ends well and Antonio becomes free. They go to Belmont, where they are already waiting for their arrival. Portia provides Antonio with a letter stating that all his merchant ships are intact, and Jessica provides an act in which her father transfers all his fortune to her.
The Venetian merchant Antonio is in sorrow. His friends, Salanio and Salarino, attribute his anxiety to unhappy love or because of the ships with the goods. But Antonio does not agree with these explanations. Accompanied by Lorenzo and Graziano, a relative and close friend of Antonio, Bassanio, arrives. Exeunt Salanio and Salarino. Gratiano tries to cheer Antonio up, but he fails. Gratiano leaves with Lorenzo. Antonio is left alone with his friend Bassanio. And Bassanio admits that he led a wild life and now he has no money and he wants to ask Anonio for them in order to go to the estate to Portia in Belmont, to the rich and beautiful heiress, whom he is in love with and wants to marry her. Antonio has no cash, but he offers a friend to take out a loan for his.
In Belmont, Portia complains to her servant Nerissa that, according to her father's will, she has no right to either choose a groom or refuse. According to the will, her husband will be the one who guesses in which of the three caskets her portrait lies. Nerissa lists many suitors, but Portia makes fun of everyone. That's just about Bassanio, who was a warrior and scientist, she fondly remembers.
In Venice, Bassanio finds the merchant Shylock, whom he asks, under the guarantee of Antonio, to lend him money for three months. But Shylock knows that Antonio's entire fortune is now at sea. Antonio arrives. Shylock hates him for his neglect of his occupation, usury and his people. In a conversation with Antonio, Shylock recalls his insults towards him. Antonio always lent money without interest. So Shylock, in order to make friends with Antonio, will lend him money without interest, but on bail, a pound of Antonio's meat, which, in case of a penalty, he can cut out of any part of the merchant's body. Antonio likes this joke. Bassanio does not like all this and he asks Antonio not to make a deal. Shylock assures that he will not benefit from such a pledge anyway, and Antonio says that he will repay the debt before the appointed time.
The Prince of Morocco arrives at Portia's house to try to guess one of the chests. The test requires an oath, which is that if he fails, he will never marry any woman.
In Venice, Lancelot Gobbo, Shylock's servant, wants to run away from his master. He wants to become a servant to Bassanio, who is reputed to be a very generous person. Bassanio recruits Lancelot. Bassanio also takes Gratiano with him to Belmont. Lancelot says goodbye to his former master's daughter, Jessica. Jessica is ashamed of her father. Lancelot undertakes to hand over the letter, which describes the plan to escape from home, to Jessica Lorenzo's lover. Jessica runs away from home with Lorenzo, taking her father's jewelry and money with her. ¬ Salarino and Gratiano help them. Bassanio and Gratiano want to sail quickly to Belmont.
In Belmont, the Moroccan prince chose a golden casket, believing that only there could be a portrait of a girl. But instead of a portrait, it contains instructive verses and a skull. The prince has to leave.
In Venice, Salanio and Salarino laugh at Shylock's anger when he learns that his daughter has run away and taken the jewels. Meanwhile, it becomes known that one of Antonio's ships sank in the English Channel.
The Prince of Aragon arrives in Belmont. He chose a silver casket, but it contains poems and an image of some mug. The prince leaves. It becomes known that a young Venetian has arrived with rich gifts. Nerissa thinks it's Bassanio.
Salanio and Salarino talk about Antonio's new losses. Shylock arrives, and they will eat up that even Antonio will delay the payment of money, then Shylock will not take his meat. In response, Shylock says that he will take his debt, since Antonio once mocked him.
Exeunt Salario and Salarino. The Jew Tubal arrives, whom Shylock sent in search of his daughter. But Tubal could not find her. He only told rumors about Jessica's squandering. Shylock is shocked at the loss. He learns that Jessica traded for a monkey, a ring given to him by his late wife. Shylock curses Jessica. He finds solace in the rumors of Antonio's losses.
In Belmont, Portia asks Bassanio to delay his choice, as she is afraid of losing him if he makes a mistake. Bassanio, on the contrary, wants to try his luck faster. They confess their love to each other. They bring boxes. Bassanio chooses a lead chest containing a portrait of Portia and a congratulation in verse. Bassanio and Portia are getting ready for the wedding, just like Nerissa and Graziano are getting ready for the wedding. Portia gives the groom a ring as a pledge of mutual love. The same gift is made by Nerissa Graziano.
Jessica arrives with Lorenzo and the messenger who brought the letter from Antonio. In the letter, the merchant says that all his ships sank, that he became impoverished and that he still owes money to the usurer. Shylock payment, terrible bail. Antonio, says that Bassanio should come to him to say goodbye, before his death. Portia forces the groom to go to the aid of a friend so that he offers Shylock any money for Antonio's life. Gratiano and Bassanio go to Venice.
In Venice, Shylock rejoices at the thought of revenge. Antonio is ready to die, but wants to see Bassanio.
In Belmont, Portia becomes the heir to the estate. With a maid, she goes to pray in a monastery, and she herself is going to Venice. To her cousin Bellario, doctor of law, she sends a servant who should bring her a man's dress and papers.
Shylock rejoices in his victory in court. Bassanio offers to pay double the debt, but this does not help. The head calls Dr. Bellario to consult with him before making a decision. Shylock sharpens the knife. Nerissa enters, disguised as a scribe, and hands over a letter from Bellario, which says that he cannot come for health reasons and recommends that the head call a colleague from Rome, Dr. Balthazar, for advice. Portia dresses up as a doctor. She tries to coax Shylock into mercy, but is rebuffed. Bassanio doesn't know what to do. He is ready to sacrifice everything, even a raging wife. Gratiano is also ready for anything. Shylock is ready to take his bail. But at the last moment, the judge reminds Shylock that he must take only Antonio's meat, and only exactly a pound and without a drop of blood, otherwise he, if the conditions are violated, is subject to severe punishment by law. And Shylock agrees to pay triple the amount of the debt, but the judge does not agree to this, since this was not stipulated, he had already refused the money.
According to Venetian laws, when an attempt is made on a citizen of the Republic, Shylock is obliged to give half of his fortune to him, and he must give the second part to the treasury as a fine. Now the life of a Jew depends only on the mercy of the head. Shylock is not going to ask for mercy, but he is left alive and given a fine. Antonio refuses to take from the Jew half of the amount due to him, but on the condition that after the death of the Jew, this half will be bequeathed to Lorenzo. Shylock is required to bequeath all his property to his son-in-law and daughter. And as a reward, fictional judges take the rings from their husbands.
Jessica and Lorenzo are in Belmont preparing for the return of their owners.
Nerissa, Portia, their husbands, Antonio Graziano, meet in the garden. They talk and see that the husbands have lost the rings they gave them. The wives say they gave them to the women, but the husbands swear they didn't. Women continue to play husbands, saying that now they will sleep with a judge and a scribe. But then they show the rings. Portia and Nerissa confess that they played a prank on them. Portia gives a letter to Antonio, which says that all of his ships are safe. Nerissa gives Jessica and Lorenzo an act in which Shylock writes off all his wealth to them. Everyone enters the house to listen to the details of Nerissa and Portia's adventures.
Please note that this is only a summary of the literary work "The Merchant of Venice". This summary omits many important points and quotations.
The Venetian merchant Antonio is tormented by causeless sadness. His friends, Salarino and Salanio, try to explain it as a concern for the ships with goods or an unhappy love. But Antonio rejects both explanations. Accompanied by Gratiano and Lorenzo, Antonio's relative and closest friend, Bassanio, appears. Salarino and Salanio exit. Joker Gratiano tries to cheer up Antonio, but when this fails (“The world is a stage where everyone has a role,” says Antonio, “mine is sad”), Graziano leaves with Lorenzo. Alone with his friend Bassanio, he admits that, leading a carefree lifestyle, he was left completely without funds and is forced to again ask Antonio for money in order to go to Belmont, the estate of Portia, a rich heiress, in whose beauty and virtue he is passionately in love and in the success of the matchmaking to which I am sure. Antonio does not have cash, but he invites a friend to find a loan in his, Antonio, name.
Meanwhile, in Belmont, Portia complains to her maid Nerissa ("Black") that, according to her father's will, she can neither choose nor reject the groom herself. Her husband will be the one who guesses correctly, choosing from three caskets - gold, silver and lead, in which her portrait is located. Nerissa begins to list numerous suitors - Portia sarcastically ridicules everyone. Only Bassanio, a scientist and warrior who once visited her father, she remembers with tenderness.
In Venice, Bassanio asks the merchant Shylock to lend him three thousand ducats for three months under the guarantee of Antonio. Shylock knows that the entire fortune of the surety is entrusted to the sea. In a conversation with Antonio who appeared, whom he fiercely hates for his contempt for his people and for his occupation - usury, Shylock recalls the countless insults that Antonio subjected him to. But since Antonio himself lends without interest, Shylock, wishing to win his friendship, will also give him a loan without interest, only on a comic security - a pound of Antonio's meat, which Shylock can cut from any part of the merchant's body as a penalty. Antonio is delighted with the joke and kindness of the pawnbroker. Bassanio is full of forebodings and asks not to make deals. Shylock assures him that such a pledge would be of no use to him anyway, and Antonio reminds him that his ships will arrive long before the due date.
The Prince of Morocco arrives at Portia's house to choose one of the chests. He gives, as the conditions of the test require, an oath: in case of failure, he will not marry any of the women again.
In Venice, Shylock's servant Lancelot Gobbo, incessantly joking, convinces himself to run away from his master. Having met his blind father, he plays a long prank on him, then dedicates his intention to be hired as a servant to Bassanio, known for his generosity. Bassanio agrees to take Lancelot into service. He also agrees to Gratiano's request to take him with him to Belmont. In the house of Shylock, Lancelot says goodbye to the daughter of the former owner - Jessica. They exchange jokes. Jessica is ashamed of her father. Lancelot undertakes to secretly deliver a letter to her beloved Jessica Lorenzo with a plan to escape from home.
