The narrative of The Businessman of Venice begins with Antonio, a Venetian Christian businessman, slumped over and depressed. All of his pals make an effort to lift his spirits but to no avail. Finally, Antonio is visited by Bassanio, one of his close pals, who asks for a loan from him. 

However, Antonio has his whole fortune invested in his ships. When Antonio cannot give his friend a direct loan, he chooses to ask Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to take the loan in Antonio's place. Shylock chooses to forgo the loan's interest, but he sets a very peculiar requirement. Shylock will be entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh if he doesn't repay the loan. Antonio gladly signs the agreement.

Antonio cheerfully signs the loan agreement. This example from The Merchant of Venice demonstrates Antonio's willingness to support his friend. After receiving the funds, Bassanio meets Portia to propose to her in Belmont. Because of her father's peculiar screening for prospective husbands, Portia has remained single. 

The three caskets, constructed of lead, silver, and gold, are presented to the men for selection. One of these coffins contains Portia's photo. She will be open to marriage to the man who selects the appropriate casket. The Merchant of Venice plot claims that some princes made the wrong choice. Bassanio enters the play in the following section of the Merchant of Venice analysis.

Bassanio's friend Lorenzo elopes with Jessica, Shylock's daughter, as Bassanio gets ready to leave for Belmont to take the exam. Portia gladly consents to be married to Bassanio right away once he selects the lead coffin containing her photograph. 

Two of Antonio's ships have sunk in the interim, and his creditors are putting pressure on him to make good. When Bassanio learns of Antonio's situation, he hastily returns to Venice, leaving Portia behind. He is followed by Portia and her maid, Nerissa. 

They pose as a male attorney and his clerk. When Bassanio gets there, Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh because the deadline for restitution has gone.

Even when Bassanio offers considerably more restitution, Shylock is determined to exact revenge on the Christians since he is now furious over the death of his daughter. The Duke declines to step in.

Portia shows up in disguise to stand up for Antonio. Portia declares that Shylock can have the pound of flesh as long as he doesn't draw blood because it is illegal to shed a Christian's blood, using the Duke's power of judgment. 

Shylock's lawsuit is rejected since it is clear that taking a pound of flesh would kill Antonio. Moreover, Portia decrees that he must give up all of his money for planning to murder a Venetian citizen. Half will go to Antonio, and half will go to Venice.

Antonio returns Shylock his share with the condition that Shylock leaves Jessica, his daughter who was disinherited, the inheritance. Shylock must also accept Christ as his Saviour. 

Shylock, who is broken, agrees. Antonio's remaining ships are said to have safely returned. All, except for Shylock, rejoice over the relationship's successful conclusion.