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The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1 summary

Act 4, Scene 1 of 20 · 17 min to read the scene

In Act 4, Scene 1, Portia appears as a legal scholar and saves Antonio by ruling that Shylock may take flesh but shed no blood. Shylock faces confiscation and accepts conditions including conversion, while Bassanio sends his wedding ring after the disguised Portia despite his promise to his wife.

What happens

  1. Nerissa brings Bellario's letter, and Portia enters as the recommended legal scholar.
  2. Portia upholds the contract but forbids bloodshed and demands an exact pound, making Shylock's claim impossible to execute safely.
  3. Portia invokes a law against threatening a citizen; the Duke spares Shylock, who accepts Antonio's conditions on his property and religion.
  4. Portia refuses payment but requests Bassanio's ring, which he initially withholds because of his promise to his wife.
  5. At Antonio's urging, Bassanio sends Gratiano after Portia with the ring and plans to travel to Belmont.

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In this scene

AntonioBassanioPortiaShylockTheme: Justice and revenge

What to notice

Portia turns Shylock's demand for exact enforcement against him. The distinction between flesh and blood stops him from safely taking the penalty.

Quick check

Why does Bassanio initially refuse to give the legal scholar his ring?

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