According to the 5-act play structure, the climax or turning point of the play should have happened in the third act. Did it happen? If so, what was it and what central conflict was addressed? If not, discuss the central conflict that has not yet been resolved.
The central conflict is between Shylock and Antonio. This is over the loan Shylock gave to Antonio in act 1. It followed the 5-act play structure through act 2 when Antonio’s ships started to sink one-by-one causing the rising action. The ordeal came a head when Antonio’s entire argosy sunk at sea, forcing him to default on the loan. When Shylock found out about this he had Antonio locked up and awaiting trial. This left the readers on a cliffhanger waiting for the resolution of the conflict. I feel that this is the climax of the story because it had built up and it happens right after the rising action.
I can certainly see your logic here, especially not having read Act 4 (the court scene). The purported sinking of Shylock's ships is definitely part of the rising action. The climax occurs when Antonio and Shylock meet head-on in court in Act 4.
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