Part romantic comedy, part courtroom drama, The Merchant of Venice turns on the bond Shylock the moneylender exacts from Antonio — a pound of flesh — and the brilliance with which Portia outmanoeuvres the law to save him. Shakespeare weaves themes of mercy, prejudice, and justice through a plot that has generated more critical debate than almost any other of his plays.
First performed around 1596–1598, the play remains a compelling and contested work. Download this free EPUB to read it on Kindle, Kobo, or any e-reader.