The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice Plot Worksheet

1.	Plot

Draw a picture of the two main settings, Venice and Belmont.  Indicate the key events on the picture, using a different colour for each plot. 
·	The caskets
·	The pound of flesh
·	The rings
·	The elopement

2.	Sequence of events

Complete the table outlining the key events for each scene. 

Act/ scene 	Key event 	Important for character(s) of … 	Important for theme / idea of … 	
Act 1 scene 1 Venice
 	 	 	 	
Act 1 scene 2 Belmont
 	 	Portia – showing her loyalty to father’s will but dismay at the suitors. 	 	
Act 1 scene 3 Venice
 	 	 	 	
Act 2 scene 1 Belmont
 	Morocco learns the conditions of the test. (Casket plot) 	 	 	
Act 2 scene 2 Venice
 	 	 	  	
Act 2 scene 3 Venice
 	 	 	Daughter/ father relationships 	
Act 2 scene 4 Venice
 	 	 	 	
Act 2 scene 5 Venice . Before Shylock’s house 	 	 	 	
Act 2 scene 6 Venice - the same 
 	 	 	 	
Act 2 scene 7 Belmont
 	Morocco fails to choose the right casket. (Casket plot) 	 	 	
Act 2 scene 8 Venice
 	 	 	 	
Act 2 scene 9 Belmont
 	 	 	 	
Act 3 scene 1 Venice
 	 	 	 	
Act 3 scene 2 Belmont
 	 	 	  	
Act 3 scene 3 Venice
 	 	 	Using the law to get revenge. 	
Act 3 scene 4 Belmont
 	 	 	 	
Act 3 scene 5 Belmont
 	 	Jessica – now Christian, Portia and Bassanio praised 	 	
Act 4 scene 1 Venice, A court of Justice 	 	 	 	
Act 4 scene 2 Venice
 	 	 	 	
Act 5 scene 1 Belmont

© Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand (First published 1998)