The Merchant of Venice (Oxford School Shakespeare)

The Merchant of Venice (Oxford School Shakespeare)

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  • Create Date:2022-01-11 06:53:10
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:William Shakespeare
  • ISBN:0198328672
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Summary

This edition of The Merchant of Venice is especially designed for students, with accessible on-page notes and explanatory illustrations, clear background information, and rigorous but accessible scholarly credentials。 This edition includes illustrations, preliminary notes, reading lists (including websites) and classroom notes, allowing students to master Shakespeare's work。

About the Series:
Newly redesigned and easier to read, each play in the Oxford School Shakespeare series includes the complete and unabridged text, detailed and clear explanations of difficult words and passages, a synopsis of the plot, summaries of individual scenes, and notes on the main characters。 Also included is a wide range of questions and activities for work in class, together with the historical background to Shakespeare's England, a brief biography of Shakespeare, and a complete list of his plays。

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Reviews

Paula

I read this in grade 7 or 8, maybe 5 years ago now。 At the time, I really loved it。 Though I don't clearly remember everything as of now it's my favorite from his works。 I read this in grade 7 or 8, maybe 5 years ago now。 At the time, I really loved it。 Though I don't clearly remember everything as of now it's my favorite from his works。 。。。more

Ulrike Bungert

Never quite understood why we got forced to read this at the age of 15?!

Adele

This has perhaps aged the worst of any Shakespeare play, and certainly there have been adaptations which have highlighted the anti-Semitic elements it contains。 There is more than this to it though, and it is the story of Portia, among others, who managed to find autonomy and power in a world geared up to deny it to them。 It explores why Shylock wants his pound of flesh, and this s kore to do worth humiliations and slights heaped on him for being a Jew than it does his Jewishness。 It looks at bu This has perhaps aged the worst of any Shakespeare play, and certainly there have been adaptations which have highlighted the anti-Semitic elements it contains。 There is more than this to it though, and it is the story of Portia, among others, who managed to find autonomy and power in a world geared up to deny it to them。 It explores why Shylock wants his pound of flesh, and this s kore to do worth humiliations and slights heaped on him for being a Jew than it does his Jewishness。 It looks at bullying, greed, and the nature of prejudice。 Not my favourite Shakespeare, but the study of character is as magnificent as ever。 。。。more

Connor

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 “Hath not a Jew eyes?” (III。1。54)Despite its categorization, I can & do not read this play as a comedy。 There is very little humor here in my eye。 Instead, I see what ought to be named The Tragedy of Shylock, and a play on Christian hypocrisy。 Shylock is described from the beginning as a man wronged by Antonio, who has been bigoted toward Shylock for his faith, and even spat on him, and Shylock’s antipathy for Antonio is only greatened after Antonio’s associates steal away Shylock’s daughter alo “Hath not a Jew eyes?” (III。1。54)Despite its categorization, I can & do not read this play as a comedy。 There is very little humor here in my eye。 Instead, I see what ought to be named The Tragedy of Shylock, and a play on Christian hypocrisy。 Shylock is described from the beginning as a man wronged by Antonio, who has been bigoted toward Shylock for his faith, and even spat on him, and Shylock’s antipathy for Antonio is only greatened after Antonio’s associates steal away Shylock’s daughter along with thousands of worth of ducats。 Shylock faces anti-Semitism from almost every character in this play, and receives no sympathy。 Shylock is, in my estimation then, right to seek revenge, just as his Christian compatriots would have been had they been similarly wronged。 I am also convinced, however, that this is a message not unendorsed by the text。 This is a play after all at least partially about the interpretation of texts (c。f。 the trial & casket plots)。 We see Bassanio deliver a speech intimating that often things and people are not as they appear。 We are given evidence of repeated injustice committed against Shylock。 We are shown that Shylock’s fellow characters show no mercy toward him, even though they beg his mercy in relieving Antonio’s debt。 Why then, as Shylock says himself, would he not be in his right to seek justice and revenge? “If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example?” (III。1。64-65)。 In the end, Shylock has his family, wealth, and faith forcefully taken from him。 He exits silently and in despair。 Afterward, Shakespeare shows us lovers who seem doomed to fail, vis a vis their repeated and ignorant allusions to Troilus and Cressida, Dido and Aeneas, Pyramus and Thisbe。 Why include this conversation if not to hint that the victors are perhaps not as they appear (c。f。 again Bassanio’s speech)? Perhaps not worthy of their victory? Perhaps villains rather than comic heroes?I apologize if this is a scatterbrained review, but it’s just past midnight and I am tired。 In short, though, I see this play as more tragedy than comedy, and I can not help but sympathize with Shylock。 。。。more

Fateme

شاید عجیب باشه ولی یکی از چیزهایی که خیلی برای من جلوه کرد، رعایت حقوق مالکیت در ونیز بود :)

Theresa

I really wanted to read as much Shakespeare as I could but then I read plays like this and The Tempest and wonder if I should just give this up。When I started this book the way they talk about Sherlock was making me uncomfortable, so I paused and went to a search engine to see if this play was considered antisemitic。 The answers seemed up on the air。 I could not get comfortable in their behavior。 I wish Sherlock had just been a jerk。 And not had his behavior seem so linked to his religion。The bi I really wanted to read as much Shakespeare as I could but then I read plays like this and The Tempest and wonder if I should just give this up。When I started this book the way they talk about Sherlock was making me uncomfortable, so I paused and went to a search engine to see if this play was considered antisemitic。 The answers seemed up on the air。 I could not get comfortable in their behavior。 I wish Sherlock had just been a jerk。 And not had his behavior seem so linked to his religion。The bit with Portia and her lady in waiting dressed up as lawyers was pretty funny but not enough that I would encourage anyone to read this one。 。。。more

Nurbanu

'insanlar bir şeyi sahiplenmekten çok kovalamaktan hoşlanırlar''。。hayat herkesin belli bir rolü oynadığı sahnedir。。'antonio'yanlış bir şey yapmadı ki adaletten korkayım。。'shylock'。。adalet uygulanacak olsa hiçbirimiz kurtulamazdık。dua ederken hep merhamet dileriz,yine bu dua sayesinde 。'portia 'insanlar bir şeyi sahiplenmekten çok kovalamaktan hoşlanırlar''。。hayat herkesin belli bir rolü oynadığı sahnedir。。'antonio'yanlış bir şey yapmadı ki adaletten korkayım。。'shylock'。。adalet uygulanacak olsa hiçbirimiz kurtulamazdık。dua ederken hep merhamet dileriz,yine bu dua sayesinde 。'portia 。。。more

Drilli

Un'opera strana。。。 che mi consola aver visto definita così anche nella prefazione a quest'edizione, perché vuol dire che non sono l'unica al mondo ad averla percepita così。 Il mio gradimento è stato altalenante, cambiava di scena in scena e di atto in atto。 Mi ha un po' confusa il suo essere commedia nonostante la vicenda tra Antonio e Shylock sia argomento piuttosto da tragedia, e mi ha spiazzata il modo grottescamente comico in cui viene rappresentato lo stesso Shylock, che pure sarebbe decisa Un'opera strana。。。 che mi consola aver visto definita così anche nella prefazione a quest'edizione, perché vuol dire che non sono l'unica al mondo ad averla percepita così。 Il mio gradimento è stato altalenante, cambiava di scena in scena e di atto in atto。 Mi ha un po' confusa il suo essere commedia nonostante la vicenda tra Antonio e Shylock sia argomento piuttosto da tragedia, e mi ha spiazzata il modo grottescamente comico in cui viene rappresentato lo stesso Shylock, che pure sarebbe decisamente un personaggio tragico。 Come pure mi ha spiazzata il fatto che gli si faccia pronunciare un bellissimo monologo, in cui giustamente afferma con forza l'uguaglianza tra ebrei e cristiani, ma poi per il resto venga sostanzialmente maltrattato dall'autore, che gli cuce addosso un forzatissimo ruolo da cattivo senz'anima, e che fa poi anche venire gabbato nel finale。 So che tutto questo fa parte del contesto, della commedia da un lato e storico dall'altro, però inevitabilmente ha pesato sulla mia esperienza di lettura。 Le scene in cui sia contenuto che forma sono "da commedia", invece, mi sono piaciute e mi hanno divertita molto, ma lo stridore che personalmente ho trovato tra queste scene (parlo di quelle riguardanti la storia dei tre scrigni e di quelle incentrate sulle coppie Porzia-Bassanio e Lorenzo-Jessica) e l'altro fulcro della storia, cioè il contratto tra Antonio e Shylock, mi ha impedito di apprezzare completamente l'opera。Fermo restando che comunque io di teatro ne capisco poco, e che su Shakespeare mi restano solo poche reminescenze dai tempi del liceo, quindi magari il mio "problema" è tutto lì。 。。。more

Caspar Bryant

Perhaps I should get into some critical readings for this because I had a brilliant time tracing the way the text overlaps itself 4。5。 It's also marvellously political - more so than many of Shakespeare's Roman plays which would present themselves as such。 Where better to set a play that leans into the inception of the modern state & justice than the oligarchal Venetian republic? Love the way Shakespeare has treated politics, Shylock's dedication to the law as written and the Christian hopes for Perhaps I should get into some critical readings for this because I had a brilliant time tracing the way the text overlaps itself 4。5。 It's also marvellously political - more so than many of Shakespeare's Roman plays which would present themselves as such。 Where better to set a play that leans into the inception of the modern state & justice than the oligarchal Venetian republic? Love the way Shakespeare has treated politics, Shylock's dedication to the law as written and the Christian hopes for flexibility。 Also shocked, pleasantly by Portia (and indeed all the women in the play)。 Shakespeare seems rather uncharacteristically keen to depict women with sexuality, and in a positive light。 Portia as a character has a case for one of WS's best women characters - Lady Macbeth probably has it but I'm struggling to think of any competitor besides Portia。 Plenty more to talk about I will leave you now xoxoxo 。。。more

Macy

putting this one in the same category as two gents in that it sucks but there are parts of it that are insanity-inducing in a good way。 this one has higher highs than two gents (several of shylock's speeches, some of the antonio and bassanio lines despite the fact that they deserve no rights) but the bad parts are。 wow。 i think most people know this play for the intense antisemitism, and it is absolutely that bad, but i forgot that there's also a ton of anti-black racism too。 this play has EVERY putting this one in the same category as two gents in that it sucks but there are parts of it that are insanity-inducing in a good way。 this one has higher highs than two gents (several of shylock's speeches, some of the antonio and bassanio lines despite the fact that they deserve no rights) but the bad parts are。 wow。 i think most people know this play for the intense antisemitism, and it is absolutely that bad, but i forgot that there's also a ton of anti-black racism too。 this play has EVERYTHING (derogatory)。 i also just could not give less of a shit about any of the side characters so here we are。 。。。more

Fotis Giannousas

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 the anti-semitism infectious throughout the play makes a modern audience completely uncomfortable although it aids in showing the beliefs and attitudes of England at the time, such as that religion and race were inextricably connected。 the hypocrisy of christians is clearly conveyed and the audience struggles to choose who to sympathise with, Shylock who’s completely stripped of his identity, absconded by his daughter, humiliated and forced to become a Christian, or Antonio, the (not really) arc the anti-semitism infectious throughout the play makes a modern audience completely uncomfortable although it aids in showing the beliefs and attitudes of England at the time, such as that religion and race were inextricably connected。 the hypocrisy of christians is clearly conveyed and the audience struggles to choose who to sympathise with, Shylock who’s completely stripped of his identity, absconded by his daughter, humiliated and forced to become a Christian, or Antonio, the (not really) archetype Christ-like figure who embraces christian values and only “loves the world for him [Bassanio]”the difference between the mythical Belmont and the commercial, polluted Venice is one I truly appreciated, as well as the moments were one seemed to infect the other momentarily, such as when a very romanticised description is attributed to Bassanio describing how Antonio’s ships would’ve crashed。 。。。more

Olga

Монолог Шейлока впечатляет, и слова Порции о милости хороши。 Но в целом непонятно, почему так называется и что смешного в комедии。 На сцене, наверное, лучше, чем на бумаге。

Emma

I've never been a big shakespeare reader, I always thought that his books would be hard to read, confusing and unintelligible。 I picked up this book at the book store, and turns out i ended up enjoyig it! I can now see why shakespeare is as well known as he is。 He really is a writing genius。 This book was really really interesting, and the characters were well put together and thought through。 I recommend! I've never been a big shakespeare reader, I always thought that his books would be hard to read, confusing and unintelligible。 I picked up this book at the book store, and turns out i ended up enjoyig it! I can now see why shakespeare is as well known as he is。 He really is a writing genius。 This book was really really interesting, and the characters were well put together and thought through。 I recommend! 。。。more

Apoorva Nadig

Sad story, human traits exposed。

izzy

This was actually interesting。 Shakespeare always uses literary elements nicely。

Constant Raving

One of my fave of Shakespeare!!! It's actually fun。。。 unlike King Lear (that PoS)。 One of my fave of Shakespeare!!! It's actually fun。。。 unlike King Lear (that PoS)。 。。。more

Whit

ANTONIO。 In sooth I know not why I am so sad,It wearies me。 you say it wearies you;But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born,I am to learn。And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,That I have much ado to know myself。SALARINO。 Your mind is tossing on the ocean,There where your argosies, with portly sailLike signiors and rich burghers on the flood,Or as it were the pageants of the sea,Do overpeer the petty traffickersThat curtsy to them, do them revere ANTONIO。 In sooth I know not why I am so sad,It wearies me。 you say it wearies you;But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born,I am to learn。And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,That I have much ado to know myself。SALARINO。 Your mind is tossing on the ocean,There where your argosies, with portly sailLike signiors and rich burghers on the flood,Or as it were the pageants of the sea,Do overpeer the petty traffickersThat curtsy to them, do them reverence,As they fly by them with their woven wings。Screaming。 Crying。 Throwing up。 I am so unbelievably in love with this play。 It is one of Shakespeare's greatest achievements and it is a shame that it is not as widely studied as Hamlet or Macbeth。 In fact, there is an argument to be made that 'Merchant', despite being of comic structure is one of his most important and most harrowing tragedies。There is so much to unpack。 Firstly, drastically this play's structure is unbelievably tight。 I think, only Lear (?) outdoes it in regards to it's dramatic stability。 The scenes are sharp, but don't use any eloquence。 Shakespeare's language is masterful, but concise。This play is also, one his most emotionally harrowing。 The treatment of Shylock - the struggle regarding the structure of the play itself - is Shakespeare sympathetic or no? The treatment of Antonio - is he homosexual? Character wise this play is dripping with memorable personalities。 I would argue Portia is one of Shakespeare's crowning characters - I think she deserves to remember among Lear, Viola, Lady Macbeth, Falstaff and Hamlet。Antonio: I am arm’d and well prepared。Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well!Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you;For herein Fortune shows herself more kindThan is her custom: it is still her useTo let the wretched man outlive his wealth,To view with hollow eye and wrinkled browAn age of poverty; from which lingering penanceOf such misery doth she cut me off。Commend me to your honourable wife:Tell her the process of Antonio’s end;Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death;And, when the tale is told, bid her be judgeWhether Bassanio had not once a love。Repent but you that you shall lose your friend,And he repents not that he pays your debt;For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,I’ll pay it presently with all my heart。 。。。more

Olga

This book is SO FUNNY。 You need to read it。 The comedy mixed in with the deep philosophical themes and bringing out the injustice with minorities and women, all in an ironic philosophical play, with the comedy inhancing the message is amazing。 The dialogue is beautiful written and there is alot to ponder on! Recommend reading it with a guide!

Mahesh Sharma

A perfect match for a sensational read and a typical Shakespearean surprise with multiple plots。

Anna Pavlíčková

Z gymplu jsem si tenhle příběh pamatovala trochu jinak。。 bylo to ale moc fajn, hezky se to rýmovalo!

mesal

Somewhat more partial to this play than I might normally have been due to being assigned it for a presentation。

Rich Farrell

I reread this for a class I co-teach, the first time I read it being in college。This isn’t my favorite of Shakespeare’s works。 It probably isn’t in my top 5。 Still, it’s incredibly complex, but I haven’t come to firm interpretations of much of the play。 I’m not sure what to think of a character like Shylock, for example, which frustrates me to a degree and probably adds to my not loving this play。 In that sense, it’s a personal problem, not one of Shakespeare’s。 (Although he is doing just fine I reread this for a class I co-teach, the first time I read it being in college。This isn’t my favorite of Shakespeare’s works。 It probably isn’t in my top 5。 Still, it’s incredibly complex, but I haven’t come to firm interpretations of much of the play。 I’m not sure what to think of a character like Shylock, for example, which frustrates me to a degree and probably adds to my not loving this play。 In that sense, it’s a personal problem, not one of Shakespeare’s。 (Although he is doing just fine without my approval。)There are moments when Shylock seems to be pleading for them to recognize his humanity。 When he is arguing for his contract to be upheld, he talks about how he is mocked and looked down upon and used and asks why he can’t have what’s rightfully his when the time comes。 Then, there’s the matter of what is his, a man’s life because of a debt, and his attitude toward Jessica。 That, of course, opens up the complicated matter of how Christianity and conversion is used throughout the play。 And all of this is colored by my having (finally) visited the Illinois Holocaust Museum for the first time this past week, which puts a new lens on antisemitism in ways in which those in Elizabethan England couldn’t imagine。I don’t know what to make of the relationship between Portia and Bassanio, both how Portia intentionally sets a trap for Bassanio and how Bassanio falls for it and justifies doing so。 How messy love and faithfulness are。 Act 5 troubles this more than solves it。And then there’s the title of the play itself: The Merchant of Venice is Antonio, but he doesn’t feel like a main character here。 He’s a catalyst but not a traditional lead。 I’m genuinely looking forward to experiencing this play through my co-teacher’s and students’ eyes to see if I can puzzle out some of these issues and gain some new perspective。 I like teaching Shakespeare, so this will be a new, and hopefully rewarding, way to experience this play in the classroom。 。。。more

Kate Esten

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 As I get started on reading all Shakespeare, starting with the merchant of Venice was interesting in that it’s a tragic sort of comedy。 Listening to the BBC Shakespeare Session adaptation alongside my reading, it’s chilling to see this as a story of forced conversion and for that conversion to read as a tragedy today。 At the same time, a lot of great romcom style moments! But I can’t give it five stars because it’s deeply anti Semitic。Character I’d want to play? Portia! If not her?Bassanio, beca As I get started on reading all Shakespeare, starting with the merchant of Venice was interesting in that it’s a tragic sort of comedy。 Listening to the BBC Shakespeare Session adaptation alongside my reading, it’s chilling to see this as a story of forced conversion and for that conversion to read as a tragedy today。 At the same time, a lot of great romcom style moments! But I can’t give it five stars because it’s deeply anti Semitic。Character I’d want to play? Portia! If not her?Bassanio, because then I get to be with Portia 😌 。。。more

Dina Badawy

الصداقة، الوفاء، الحب، الخبث والذكاء!

Vitória

shylock was a victim。 period。

Ngawang Gyatso

William Shakespeare book 'The Marchent of Venice' which repersented the Jew and Cristain's thought at that time。 It stary wrote in the 16th century and throught the century we also knew Elizabhethan era。 Venice is the place which know for city of economic and Belment know for city of romance。 William Shakespeare choosen the venice which place is huge famous at that era。 In this story every single person has a extraodinary role。 Shylock who's the richest person in tha venice and Antonio is a su William Shakespeare book 'The Marchent of Venice' which repersented the Jew and Cristain's thought at that time。 It stary wrote in the 16th century and throught the century we also knew Elizabhethan era。 Venice is the place which know for city of economic and Belment know for city of romance。 William Shakespeare choosen the venice which place is huge famous at that era。 In this story every single person has a extraodinary role。 Shylock who's the richest person in tha venice and Antonio is a successful Venetain marchent and Portia is a rich heiress living in Belmont, intelletual and resourceful woman and she play the cardinal role in the story。Bassanio the husband of Portia and friend of Antonio。 He is just a odinary preson。 Many of cheracters has in the story but I don't willing to mantion here , so they are main characters in the story。 Theme of the story is love, economic, relationship, Revenge, Marcy。 。。。more

Sophie

A play with plenty of potential to thrive upon the stage。。。 but struggles on paper。🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑 The Merchant of Venice is a short read; it is a play about money, perception and relationships。 My initial judgement on this is purely based on the text itself, rather than the intended stage delivery, which I can imagine greatly improves the piece。 Having studied some of Shakespeare's other works, The Merchant of Venice does, in my opinion, pale in comparison。 While the narrative of the story is engaging in A play with plenty of potential to thrive upon the stage。。。 but struggles on paper。🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑 The Merchant of Venice is a short read; it is a play about money, perception and relationships。 My initial judgement on this is purely based on the text itself, rather than the intended stage delivery, which I can imagine greatly improves the piece。 Having studied some of Shakespeare's other works, The Merchant of Venice does, in my opinion, pale in comparison。 While the narrative of the story is engaging in terms of both setting and events, characters who were once intriguing upon first introduction seem to develop little over the course of the play。 The relationship between Antonio and Bassanio is quite heartwarming, whether considered platonic or romantic by the audience。 When circumstances push the men to seek assistance from Jewish money lender, Shylock, the play grows in considerable depth。 Here the audience sees the 'good' Christians as harsh and prejudice towards Shylock, who returns their agressions。 Shylock himself is an intriguing character。 The audience's perception of him could quite easily change from performance to performance - from a cruel, relentless and money driven to a tragic product of the discrimination he frequently faces。 Though complex, Shylock's character is founded on an anti-Semitic stereotype which, depending on the performance, may be problematic。 His inclusion in the play, does however, provide an interesting contextual insight into Elizabethan English views。 Portia is another colourful character: witty and intelligent。 She plays a key role in the play, taking initiative and making her own choices。 However, she is not without her problems, considering her distasteful and racist remarks towards her suitors。 Prejudice and stereotypes feature heavily in the play, whether this was deliberately done by Shakespeare to question social attitudes of the time is something that can only be speculated。 The abundance of sexual innuendos are most likely deliberate - a timeless subgenre of humour。 Given the history associated with the works of Shakespeare, I would recommend reading a copy of the play that includes an introduction, like Wordsworth Classics version。 I believe The Merchant of Venice would be a much more enthralling experience on stage (or film) as intended。 。。。more

Andrej Barovic

A quick read that has some amazing moments。 At times, it does fall off a little bit, but the overall story, characters, and especially the dialogues are great。 8。5/10

Linda Lillia

احد

Rita (HIATUS)

~3。5~I forgot I read this for my communications class, well tbh more like went through it but whatever。 Characters were kind of bland only Shylock had character development。 I did enjoy it though to some degree but it’s not getting any recommendations from me。 I don’t remember the exact date we started and finished this but I do know it was sometime around November and December。 This play had deep meaning but I know for a fact if I was given this to read voluntarily I wouldn’t have bothered。 I m ~3。5~I forgot I read this for my communications class, well tbh more like went through it but whatever。 Characters were kind of bland only Shylock had character development。 I did enjoy it though to some degree but it’s not getting any recommendations from me。 I don’t remember the exact date we started and finished this but I do know it was sometime around November and December。 This play had deep meaning but I know for a fact if I was given this to read voluntarily I wouldn’t have bothered。 I mean it was somewhat funny。 I did love Solanio and Salerio but I hated Portia。 At least it counts toward my reading challenge! Happy Reading! 。。。more