Comedy in five acts by William Shakespeare, performed about 1596-97, printed in a quarto edition from foul papers in 1600. Much less lighthearted than Shakespeare's other comedies, the work is a serious study of love and marriage and of the abuse of wealth. Bassanio, a noble but penniless Venetian, asks his wealthy friend Antonio for a loan so as to impress and woo the heiress Portia. Antonio, whose money is invested in foreign ventures, borrows the sum from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, on the condition that if the loan cannot be repaid in time Antonio will forfeit a pound of flesh. News arrives that Antonio's ships have been destroyed. Unable to collect on his loan, Shylock attempts to claim his pound of flesh. Portia disguises herself as a man to defend Antonio in court. She delivers the famous "quality of mercy" speech, but Shylock is unswayed. Portia admits the validity of his claim but insists that he has a right to the flesh only. If any blood is spilled, she declares, Shylock must die. The contract is cancelled and Shylock is ordered to give half of his estate to Antonio, who agrees not to take the money if Shylock converts to Christianity and restores his disinherited daughter Jessica, who has married a Christian, to his will. Shylock agrees. The play ends with the news that some of Antonio's ships have arrived safely. Shylock has been the subject of modern scholarly debate over whether the playwright displayed anti-Semitism or religious tolerance in his characterization, for, despite his association with greed and usury, Shylock delivers an eloquent speech ("Hath not a Jew eyes? ") in which he defends himself against his Christian enemies.

Links of Interest

View the On-line Text