- In this scene, Shylock demands the payment of Antonio's bond, a pound of flesh, as forfeit for his defaulted loan.
- The Duke of Venice presides over the trial and urges Shylock to show mercy, but Shylock refuses.
- Portia, disguised as a male lawyer named Balthazar, arrives and argues on Antonio's behalf.
- She exploits a loophole in the bond's wording, arguing that Shylock can only take the pound of flesh and not a single drop of Christian blood.
- Shylock is defeated and forced to give up his claim.