“All that glitters is not gold” – Shakespeare

১. Source

• Quotation from William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice

• The Merchant of Venice is a five-act comedy/tragedy-comedy written around 1596–97.

২. Summary of the Play

• Central theme: Money, friendship, love, justice, and mercy.

• Main plot:

  • Bassanio needs money to woo Portia, a wealthy heiress.

  • His friend Antonio wants to help, but his wealth is tied up in ships.

  • Antonio borrows from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, under the condition that if he fails to repay, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio’s flesh.

  • Antonio’s ships are lost, and he cannot repay.

  • Shylock demands the flesh in court, seeking revenge for repeated mistreatment by Christians.

  • Portia, disguised as a male lawyer, intervenes and cleverly points out that Shylock can take the flesh but cannot shed blood, as the contract does not allow it.

  • Shylock is defeated, and his wealth is confiscated.

৩. Main Characters

• Antonio – The merchant

• Shylock – Jewish moneylender

• Portia – Heroine, lawyer in disguise

• Bassanio – Friend of Antonio, suitor of Portia

• Jessica – Shylock’s daughter

৪. Notable Quotes

• “All that glitters is not gold.”

• “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”

• “It is a wise father that knows his own child.”

• “Love is blind, and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit.”