When young Bassanio wants to get married, but has spent all his fortune, he asks his rich merchant friend, Antonio, to lend him some money. As Antonio’s ships are all at sea, he has no ready money, so he borrows some from a moneylender, Shylock. However, if the debt is not paid on time, Shylock wants a piece of Antonio’s body – a pound of flesh. When Antonio’s ships are lost at sea, the story takes an unexpected turn.