The Merchant of Venice is a comedy which centers on a substantial loan which cannot be repaid and the dangers of promises. To help out his love-struck friend, Antonio the merchant attempts to borrow money from a Jew after publicly making anti-Semitic remarks. Shylock, the Jew, agrees against his better judgment to loan Antonio the money under one condition—if Antonio can’t repay the loan, Shylock demands to take one pound of his flesh instead. The scenes to follow are full of drama, comedy, and horror, culminating in a famous speech about mercy and resolution brought on by ingenious deception.