The Merchant of Venice: Commentary

by William Shakespeare

Publishers:

Focus Publishing; R. Pullins

, 2008

Overview

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.

Product Details

• Title: The Merchant of Venice: Commentary
• Author: William Shakespeare
• Series: New Kittredge Shakespeare
• Publishers: Focus Publishing, R. Pullins
• Print Publication Date: 2008
• Logos Release Date: 2015
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 › The Merchant of Venice--Commentaries
• Resource ID: LLS:MERCHANTVENICECOMM
• Resource Type: Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-11T15:47:38Z

About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April 1564; died 23 April 1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”. His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems.