Ending

overall ending

We've finally made it to the ending of the play, so now it's time for me to explain that.

Now, for the ending we’ll start with the ending and verdict of the court scene, which will nicely lead into the true finale. As we’ve explored on other webpages, Portia disguises as balthazar, a lawyer and ends up letting Antonio free of Shylock's Pound of flesh deal. As punishment, Shylock is also forced to give up half of his wealth to Jessica and Lorenzo, and from the end of the trial forward he had to convert to christianity. After this, Bassanio gifts the still disguised Portia the ring she had given him and told him not to give away, as a test of sorts. Gratiano gives away the ring Nerrisa gave him straight back to her as well, neither of them knowing it was their wives they were bestowing the rings upon again.Antonio hears that his ships are actually safe, contradicting what he thought, this is great news for him as he put a lot of wealth into them and that's being returned.

Finale ending

Act 5, scene 1

Jessica and Lorenzo learn about what they’re inheriting through shylock post-trial as they wait for the return of the other two couples, they talk sweetly with each other under the moonlight until the others get back.

The play’s main couple, Portia and Bassanio get married alongside Nerissa and Gratiano, who get married at the same time. Both of the women end up lightheartedly confronting and scolding their husbands for giving away the rings, which they then reveal the young men they gave them to turned out to just be Portia and Nerrisa. “You swore to me when I did give you, That you would wear it till the hour of death And that it should lie with you in your grave.” - Nerissa (to Gratiano). Overall, they are forgiven and the three couples end happily.