

An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play The authoritative edition of The Merchant of Venice from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers,

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.” Yet he gives such powerful expression to his alienation due to the hatred around him that, in many productions, he emerges as the hero. Shylock would have been regarded as a villain because he was a Jew. In creating Shylock, Shakespeare seems to have shared in a widespread prejudice against Jews. If he fails, he may never marry at all.īassanio and Portia also face a magnificent villain, the moneylender Shylock. To win Portia, Bassanio must pass a test prescribed by her father’s will, choosing correctly among three caskets or chests. In The Merchant of Venice, the path to marriage is hazardous.
