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 24
... spirit ; lest , through thy wild behaviour , I be misconstrued in the place I go to , And lose my hopes . Signior Bassanio , hear me : If I do not put on a sober habit , Talk with respect , and swear but now and then , Wear prayer ...
... spirit ; lest , through thy wild behaviour , I be misconstrued in the place I go to , And lose my hopes . Signior Bassanio , hear me : If I do not put on a sober habit , Talk with respect , and swear but now and then , Wear prayer ...
Page 63
... spirit , The very tyranny and rage of his . DUKE . Go one , and call the Jew into the court . SALER . He is ready at the door : he comes , my lord . Enter SHYLOCK DUKE . Make room , and let him stand before our face . Shylock , the ...
... spirit , The very tyranny and rage of his . DUKE . Go one , and call the Jew into the court . SALER . He is ready at the door : he comes , my lord . Enter SHYLOCK DUKE . Make room , and let him stand before our face . Shylock , the ...
Page 67
... spirit Govern'd a wolf , who hang'd for human slaughter , Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet , And , whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam , Infused itself in thee ; for thy desires Are wolvish , bloody , starved and ...
... spirit Govern'd a wolf , who hang'd for human slaughter , Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet , And , whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam , Infused itself in thee ; for thy desires Are wolvish , bloody , starved and ...
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