ACT 3 SCENE 1

The rumor that Antonio has lost yet another ship is discussed by
Solanio and Salerio. Shylock appears and expresses displeasure that
Salerio and Solanio were involved in his daughter's flight. They
don't dispute it, but instead inquire as to Shylock's knowledge of
Antonio's losses.
They are warned by Shylock to "see to his bond" and make sure
Antonio pays back the money or else Shylock will get his revenge.
Shylock is enraged at Antonio, whom he holds accountable for
Jessica's death and against whom he also harbors a long-standing
animosity. Then he recites his well-known soliloquy "Hath not a Jew
eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections,
passions…”.
Shylock ends his statement by threatening to exact revenge on
Christians for all the times they have mistreated him.
Tubal Shylock’s jew friend also brings news that Antonio has lost
yet a third ship, and is almost certain to go bankrupt. Shylock is
excited by this news, since he has decided that he would rather
exact revenge on Antonio than receive his three thousand ducats
back. Tubal has been in Genoa, where he tried to locate Jessica and
found out that she had been spending money carelessly.

ACT 3 SCENE 2

Portia requests that Bassanio delay selecting a casket for a month

or two so that she will have his company for an extended period of
time. Bassanio confides in her that he is compelled to make a
decision and that the more he waits, the more torment he suffers.
Finally, Portia consents to lead him into the chamber containing the
coffins.

On Portia's orders, one of her servants starts delivering Bassanio

hints in the shape of musical notes, instructing him to play a song
that, if he chooses the incorrect casket, will suggest a swan-like
end, and one that, if he chooses the correct one, will be fit for a
newly crowned ruler. Speaking directly to the audience, Bassanio
criticizes the excessive use of ornamentation and gilding. Due to
his comparison of Midas' greed to gold, he ultimately resolves to
abolish it.He also disregards the silver casket, claiming it is too
typical and represents money. He selects the lead casket as a
result, and inside is a portrait of Portia.The image delights
Bassanio, who declares that it is a lovely "counterfeit." After
reading the scroll, he took it and handed it to Portia, who then
extended an offer of everything she owned to him. Portia then gives
Bassanio a ring as a symbol of her devotion and love.Bassanio
pledges to never lose it.

Salerio, Lorenzo, and Jessica reach Belmont. Bassanio is delighted

to see them all, but Salerio soon presents him with a letter from
Antonio. When Bassanio hears that Antonio has lost his riches and
his ships, he becomes pale and asks Salerio whether it's true that
all of Antonio's endeavours have been unsuccessful. Salerio assures
him that it is accurate and that even if Antonio offered to pay him
back, Shylock would probably decline because he is so eager to
achieve his revenge.

Portia inquires as to how much Antonio owes Shylock before giving

Bassanio the go-ahead to travel to Venice and make a six thousand
ducat offer to shatter the contract.

ACT 3 SCENE 3

To see Antonio being led away by a jailer, Shylock has arrived.

Antonio begs Shylock to hear him out, but Shylock replies, "I have
promised an oath that I will have my bond" (3.3.4) and dismisses all
of the cries for help. When Shylock leaves, Antonio informs Solanio
that the reason Shylock despises him is because he once gave loans
to those who owed Shylock money, preventing Shylock from collecting
the forfeiture. Although Antonio is ready to make his payment the
following day in court, he hopes Bassanio will show there in time to
witness his execution.

ACT 3 SCENE 4
Concerned for their new husbands, Portia and Nerissa inform Lorenzo
that they will be staying at a nearby monastery for a few days in
order to pray. Portia sends her servant Balthasar to her cousin
Doctor Bellario after Lorenzo and Jessica have left, telling him to
bring everything Bellario gives him to Venice. Nerissa is then told
by Portia that they will disguise themselves as men and travel to
Venice to assist their husbands.

ACT 3 SCENE 5
In their dispute, Lancelot and Jessica debate whether Jessica can be
rescued by God because she was born a Jew. She is cursed, according
to Lancelot, because both of her parents are Jews. She argues that
since her husband Lorenzo is a Christian, she can be saved once she
converts. Lancelot then cracks a joke, accusing Lorenzo of being a
wicked man for forcing all the Jews to convert, which will increase
the cost of pork (since Jews do not eat pork, but Christians do).
Lancelot is then told by Lorenzo to go inside and set the dinner
table. He and Jessica enter the house to get their meal and praise
Portia for being such a good hostess.