When Bassanio is in need of money to court his ladylove, he approaches his friend Antonio, a prominent Venetian Merchant. Unable to help him financially, Antonio offers to become a guarantor for Bassanio's Moneylender. Together, they go to shylock, a miserly Jewish moneylender , who agrees to lend him money. But what happens when Antonio is unable to repay Shylock? Regarded among his great comedies, Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice explores bigotry, prejudice, humanity , and justice.