The Merchant of Venice: Modern English Translation & Study Guide

Read The Merchant of Venice Side by Side

Every scene pairs the public-domain original with a line-matched, original modern-English paraphrase. Choose a scene below to begin reading.

• Act 1, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. Venice. A street.
• Act 1, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.
• Act 1, Scene 3 line-by-line translation — SCENE III. Venice. A public place.
• Act 2, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.
• Act 2, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. Venice. A street.
• Act 2, Scene 3 line-by-line translation — SCENE III. The same. A room in SHYLOCK'S house.
• Act 2, Scene 4 line-by-line translation — SCENE IV. The same. A street.
• Act 3, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. Venice. A street.
• Act 3, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.
• Act 3, Scene 3 line-by-line translation — SCENE III. Venice. A street.
• Act 3, Scene 4 line-by-line translation — SCENE IV. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.
• Act 4, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. Venice. A court of justice.
• Act 4, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. The same. A street.
• Act 5, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. Belmont. Avenue to PORTIA'S house.

The Merchant of Venice study pathways

• Themes with source-linked quotations and analysis
• Top 10 quotes with modern-English meanings and essay use

Related across the Shake Up Network

Extend this play’s ideas through a connected subject lens.

• Mercy, law & interpretation — Shake Up Theology
  Compare the play’s arguments about justice and mercy with their religious and ethical contexts.
• Contracts, courts & equality before law — Shake Up Civics
  Investigate how legal rules, civic belonging, and unequal power shape the courtroom scene.