The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare is a comedy about the love affairs of several Italian characters, told from an objective point of view in the third person. The show is set in Venice, Italy, during the Renaissance. The protagonist, Antonio, is a wealthy, respected and sociable merchant from Venice. The title supports the supposition that Antonio is the protagonist because he is defined as The Merchant of Venice, indicating the history of the merchant. Antonio's best friend, Bassanio, is a penniless romantic who borrows money on Antonio's credit to woo the woman he loves. Since Bassanio is in a perpetual state of debt, he needs money to appear rich enough to marry Portia, the beautiful maiden of Belmont. The central antagonist is Shylock, a Jewish moneylender who gives Bassanio the desired funds on Antonio's credit, but under an unusual condition. Instead of his usual interest rate if the debt is not repaid within three months, Shylock wishes to remove a pound of flesh from Antonio's body. Antonio's ships (his obligation) are expected to return before the contract expires, so Antonio accepts the contract which is legally signed according to Venetian law. Meanwhile, Shylock's daughter Jessica falls in love with a Christian and friend of Antonio's named Lorenzo. Against her father's wishes, Jessica runs away with Lorenzo and Bassanio and Portia get married. However, bad luck befalls Antony as his ships are lost or destroyed at sea; and therefore its obligation cannot be fulfilled. Shylock takes Antonio to court to force him to post bail. In court Shylock is despised by those present while Antonio is regarded with praise. Portia and her lady-in-waiting, Nerissa, disguise themselves as a judge and clerk respectively, and proceed...... center of the sheet......erissa, and Jessica each reveal their double identities as members of the court to Lorenzo and Bassanio. Lorenzo's use of poetic alliteration as he speaks to Jessica enriches the setting and supports the theme of harmony in the play's conclusion: "How sweet the moonlight sleeps on this shore! / Here we will sit and let let the sounds of music / creep into our ears. Soft quiet and night / Become touches of sweet harmony / Sit down Jessica." The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare contains poetic lines and rhymes that create vivid and logical images. The powerful bond of friendship between Antonio, the protagonist, and Bassanio is revealed through their words. Shylock, the antagonist, is portrayed as an evil Jew, addicted to usury and lacking in mercy. However, the cunning Portia manages to defeat Shylock and obtain justice for the Christians.