William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is often considered to be one of his most controversial plays. This student’s Edition tries to explicate the core elements of the play with clear and well-defined annotations as well as exhaustive Critical Appreciations on interesting topics such as Shakespeare’s treatment of Fools and Comedy; the Role of Portia’s Ring; and the Art of Rhetoric in the plot development of the play. The Play The Merchant of Venice is a story of love, romance, revenge and religious fanaticism set in the backdrop of 16th Century Venice. Not only is the play an intricate meld of various plots involving a gallery of the most fascinating characters in literature, but it is also imbued with a rich and potent poetic expression. It encompasses a wide range of themes and makes a very powerful comment on the human condition. The dramatic force of the play continues to resonate with audiences across the world and makes it a favourite pick for performances even in the contemporary context.
