New Folger Library Shakespeare

"An updated edition with detailed notes from the world's leading center for Shakespeare studies"--Cover

Shakespeare's The merchant of Venice -- Reading Shakespeare's language : The merchant of Venice -- Shakespeare's life -- Shakespeare's theater -- The publication of Shakespeare's plays -- An introduction to this text -- The merchant of Venice : text of the play with commentary -- Textual notes -- The merchant of Venice : a modern perspective by Alexander Leggatt -- Further reading -- Key to famous lines and phrases

In The Merchant of Venice, the path to marriage is hazardous. To win Portia, Bassanio must pass a test prescribed by her father's will, choosing correctly among three caskets or chests. If he fails, he may never marry at all. Bassanio and Portia also face a magnificent villain, the moneylender Shylock. In creating Shylock, Shakespeare seems to have shared in a widespread prejudice against Jews. Shylock would have been regarded as a villain because he was a Jew. Yet he gives such powerful expression to his alienation due to the hatred around him that, in many productions, he emerges as the hero. Portia is most remembered for her disguise as a lawyer, Balthazar, especially the speech in which she urges Shylock to show mercy that "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven."