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The Merchant of VeniceWilliam Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice

by OpenStories

Original author: William Shakespeare

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"The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare is a play written between 1596 and 1598. When Antonio, a Venetian merchant, defaults on a loan provided by the Jewish moneylender Shylock, dire consequences loom. The debt was taken to help Antonio's friend Bassanio woo the wealthy Portia. Shylock's contract demands a shocking penalty: a pound of Antonio's flesh. Though classified as a comedy, the play is best remembered for its dramatic courtroom scenes and Shylock's famous speeches exploring humanity, mercy, and discrimination.

The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #1114.

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