The Merchant of Venice is an intriguing drama of love greed and revenge. At its heart the play contrasts the characters of the maddened and vengeful Shylock a Venetian moneylender with the gracious level-headed Portia a wealthy young woman besieged by suitors. At the play's climax Shylock insists that a binding contract be enforced which will cost the life of the merchant Antonio. Pleading Antonio's case before the Duke of Venice Portia shrewdly defeats Shylock's evil purpose.