"The Merchant of Venice" is a famous play by William Shakespeare, set in Venice, Italy. The play tells the story of a merchant named Antonio who borrows money from the Jewish moneylender Shylock to help his close friend Bassanio win the hand of his beloved Portia, a wealthy heiress. Shylock stipulates that if Antonio does not repay the loan on time, he must take a pound of his flesh. Events escalate when Antonio is unable to repay the loan on time, and Shylock demands that his condition be met. The conflict culminates in a court of law in which Portia (disguised as a lawyer) dismantles Shylock's legal arguments. Will she prevail and save Antonio, or will Shylock actually take his pound of flesh?