description: In this lively comedy of love and money in sixteenth-century Venice, Bassanio wants to impress the wealthy heiress Portia but lacks the necessary funds. He turns to his merchant friend, Antonio, who is forced to borrow from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. When Antonio's business falters, repayment becomes impossible--and by the terms of the loan agreement, Shylock is able to demand a pound of Antonio's flesh. Portia cleverly intervenes, and all ends well (except of course for Shylock).
language: English
title: The Merchant of Venice
titlecomplete: The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare, Signet Classic)
characters: Shylock
genres: Classics, Drama, Theatre, Plays, Read For School, School, Classic Literature, Literature, Poetry, Fiction
ratings_count: 183529
places: Venice, Republic of Venice
publisher: Signet Classics