Act 16. Comedy. Antonio, a Venetian merchant, has invested his fortune in trading ships. When his friend Bassanio, who wishes to court the wealthy and beautiful Portia, asks him for money, Antonio takes out a loan for him from the Jew Shylock. Shylock, who hates Christians because they treat him inhumanely, lends him the money against a bond that entitles him to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body if the money is not repaid on time. Bassanio now competes with two other suitors for Portia, who, at the request of her deceased father, must marry the man who chooses from three caskets made of gold, silver, and lead, the one containing Portia's portrait. Bassanio chooses the lead casket and wins Portia, who has secretly loved him all along. His friend Gratiano finds love with Portia's companion Nerissa.