The Merchant of Venice in modern English, scene by scene

About this translation

Every scene of The Merchant of Venice is set out twice: William Shakespeare’s words on one side, and on the other a plain modern English rendering of the same lines, in the same order. It is a way to read the original, not a replacement for it — the rendering says what the text says, and the text is the thing you quote.

Line numbers count the verse lines of each scene in the public-domain Project Gutenberg edition these pages are set from, so they may not match the numbering in a printed edition.

1. Act 1, Scene 1 — Venice. A street.Truly, I don't know why I'm so sad. It tires me; you say it tires you. But how I caught…
2. Act 1, Scene 2 — Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.Honestly, Nerissa, my little body is tired of this great world.
3. Act 1, Scene 3 — Venice. A public place.Three thousand ducats, all right.

1. Act 2, Scene 1 — Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.Don't dislike me for my colouring, the dark uniform given me by the gleaming sun, whose…
2. Act 2, Scene 2 — Venice. A street.My conscience will certainly let me run away from this Jew, my master. The devil is at my…
3. Act 2, Scene 3 — The same. A room in Shylock’s house.I'm sorry you're leaving my father like this. Our house is hell, and you, a cheerful…
4. Act 2, Scene 4 — The same. A street.No, we'll slip away during supper, put on our disguises at my place, and be back within…
5. Act 2, Scene 5 — The same. Before Shylock’s house.Well, you'll see for yourself; your own eyes will be your judge of the difference between…
6. Act 2, Scene 6 — The same.This is the overhanging roof where Lorenzo asked us to wait.
7. Act 2, Scene 7 — Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.Go, pull the curtains aside and show the separate caskets to this noble prince. Now make…
8. Act 2, Scene 8 — Venice. A street.Come on, man, I saw Bassanio setting sail; Gratiano has gone with him; and I'm certain…
9. Act 2, Scene 9 — Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.Quick, quick, please, pull the curtain back at once. The Prince of Arragon has taken his…

1. Act 3, Scene 1 — Venice. A street.So, what news on the Rialto?
2. Act 3, Scene 2 — Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.Please wait, hold off a day or two before you take the risk, because if you choose…
3. Act 3, Scene 3 — Venice. A street.Jailer, keep an eye on him. Don't talk to me about mercy. This is the fool who lent out…
4. Act 3, Scene 4 — Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.Madam, though I say it with you standing here, you have a noble and true idea of godlike…
5. Act 3, Scene 5 — The same. A garden.Yes, truly, because, you see, the sins of the father are to be laid on the children, and…

1. Act 4, Scene 1 — Venice. A court of justice.Well, is Antonio here?
2. Act 4, Scene 2 — The same. A street.Find out where the Jew's house is, give him this document, and have him sign it. We'll…

1. Act 5, Scene 1 — Belmont. The avenue to Portia’s house.The moon shines bright. On a night like this, when the sweet wind kissed the trees gently…