William Shakespeare · 1597 · sea

In Venice the merchant Antonio, his whole fortune ventured in argosies scattered across the world's seas, borrows from the moneylender Shylock on a bond of a pound of his own flesh; when word comes that his ships are lost on the narrow seas and beyond, the forfeit falls due, and only a disguised Portia's wit can save him.

1. 1
   Venice

   The great trading city where Antonio pledges a pound of his flesh to Shylock, all his wealth being abroad at sea in his merchant argosies.

2. 2
   Tripolis

   One of Antonio's ventures, an argosy bound for the Levant trade of the eastern Mediterranean.

3. 3
   England

   The narrow seas off England, the Goodwin Sands, where one of his richest ships is reported wrecked.

4. 4
   Mexico

   The New World, another of the far ventures squandered abroad on which Antonio's imperilled fortune rests.