Question

the consequences if signing the fatal bond in merchant of Venice

Answer 1

Antonio, the wealthy merchant who was a friend of Bassanio had no money at that moment when Bassanio asked him for it to go to Belmont to woo and marry Portia, a rich heiress of Belmont. So both of them went to Shylock a cunning money lender hated by Antonio so Shylock who wanted to take revenge made Antonio sign a bond which termed that if Antonio would not be able to pay 3000 ducats in 3 months, then Shylock would have the right to cut a pound of flesh of Antonio nearest to his heart. Antonio whose ships failed to reach Venice within time had forfeited the bond and Shylock was very enthusiastic on pursuing the bond had given it in the court of Venice. However, it was the cleverness of Portia, Bassanio's wife who dressed as Dr. Balthazar that saved Antonio's life.