The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice is an intriguing drama of love, greed, and revenge. At its heart, the play contrasts the characters of the maddened and vengeful Shylock, a Venetian moneylender, with the gracious, level-headed Portia, a wealthy young woman besieged by suitors. At the play's climax, Shylock insists on the enforcement of a binding contract that will cost the life of the merchant Antonio — inciting Portia to mount a memorable defense. In this richly plotted drama, Shylock, whom Shakespeare endowed with all of the depth and vitality of his greatest characters, is not alone in his villainy. In scene after scene, a large cast of ambitious and scheming characters demonstrates that honesty is a quality often strained where matters of love and money are concerned. The gravity and suspense of the play's central plot, together with its romance, have made The Merchant of Venice a favorite of audiences, and one of the most studied and performed of Shakespeare's plays. It is reprinted here from an authoritative text, complete with explanatory footnotes. |
From inside the book
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Page 57
... heart ; I shall obey you in all fair commands . POR . My people do already know my mind , And will acknowledge you ... heart's content . POR . I thank you for your wish , and am well pleased To wish it back on you : fare you well ...
... heart ; I shall obey you in all fair commands . POR . My people do already know my mind , And will acknowledge you ... heart's content . POR . I thank you for your wish , and am well pleased To wish it back on you : fare you well ...
Page 70
... heart . Be merciful : Take thrice thy money ; bid me tear the bond . SHY . When it is paid according to the tenour . It doth appear you are a worthy judge ; You know the law , your exposition Hath been most sound : I charge you by the ...
... heart . Be merciful : Take thrice thy money ; bid me tear the bond . SHY . When it is paid according to the tenour . It doth appear you are a worthy judge ; You know the law , your exposition Hath been most sound : I charge you by the ...
Page 71
... heart . BASS . Antonio , I am married to a wife Which is as dear to me as life itself ; But life itself , my wife , and all the world , Are not with me esteem'd above thy life : I would lose all , ay , sacrifice them all Here to this ...
... heart . BASS . Antonio , I am married to a wife Which is as dear to me as life itself ; But life itself , my wife , and all the world , Are not with me esteem'd above thy life : I would lose all , ay , sacrifice them all Here to this ...
Other editions - View all
The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare,Rick Lee,Stephanie Burgin,RSA Shakespeare in Schools Project Limited preview - 1994 |
The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare,Aidan Coleman,Abbie Thomas,Shane Barnes Limited preview - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
argosies art thou BASS Bellario Belmont better blood bond casket Charybdis choose chooseth Christian clerk court daughter dear deny deserves devil doctor dost doth DUKE Enter BASSANIO Enter PORTIA Exeunt Exit eyes fair Fair ladies father fear fool forfeit forfeiture fortune Genoa gentle give gold hath hear heart heaven honour husband Jew's Jew's house judge judgement justice lady LAUN leave look Lord Bassanio Lorenzo madam marry masque merchant Merchant of Venice mercy merry mistress Nerissa never night oath Old GOBBO Padua pardon PORTIA's house pound of flesh pray thee prince Rialto ring room in PORTIA's SALAN SALANIO SALAR SALARINO SALER Salerio SCENE Scylla Servant shalt Signior Antonio sola soul speak stand strond swear sweet tell Three thousand ducats to-night Tripolis Tubal unto Venetian Venice wife