Sources
The forfeit of a merchant's deadly bond after standing surety for a friend's loan was a common tale in England in the late sixteenth century. The test of the suitors at Belmont, the merchant's rescue from the "pound of flesh" penalty by his friend's new wife disguised as a lawyer and her demand for the betrothal ring in payment are all present in the 14th century tale Il Pecorone by Giovanni Fiorentino, which was published in Milan in 1558. Elements of the trial scene are also found in The Orator by Alexandre Sylvane, published in translation in 1596.
Read more about this topic: The Merchant Of Venice
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