For Shakespeare, writing to an English audience about a Jewish moneylender might have seemed unusual.
Officially, there were no Jews in 16th century England because they had been banished in 1290 under the Edict of Expulsion.
Some studies suggest there were fewer than 200 Jews in Elizabethan England (only about 100 have been identified by historians).
Most of these Jews were outwardly practicing Christians and many of them were probably Marranos (Jews who practiced their religion in secret).
Meanwhile in Belmont, Portia is awash with suitors. Her father left a will stipulating each of her suitors must choose correctly from one of three caskets – one each of gold, silver and lead. If he picks the right casket, he gets Portia.
The first suitor, the Prince of Morocco, chooses the gold casket, interpreting its slogan "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire" as referring to Portia.
The second suitor, the conceited Prince of Arragon, chooses the silver casket, which proclaims "Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves", imagining himself to be full of merit.
Both suitors leave empty-handed.