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    The Merchant of Venice

    comedy

    The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most uncomfortable comedies. To help his friend win a rich heiress, the merchant Antonio borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and agrees to a terrifying penalty if he cannot repay: a pound of his own flesh. When Antonio’s ships are lost and the debt falls due, the heiress Portia disguises herself as a male lawyer, walks into a court full of men, and out-argues every one of them to save his life.

    ▸SCENE I. Venice. A street.▸SCENE II: Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.▸SCENE III. Venice. A public place.

    ▸SCENE I. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.▸SCENE II. Venice. A street.▸SCENE III. The same. A room in SHYLOCK'S house.▸SCENE IV. The same. A street.▸SCENE V. The same. Before SHYLOCK'S house.▸SCENE VI. The same.▸SCENE VII. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.▸SCENE VIII. Venice. A street.▸SCENE IX. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.

    ▸SCENE I. Venice. A street.▸SCENE II. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.▸SCENE III. Venice. A street.▸SCENE IV. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.▸SCENE V. The same. A garden.

    ▸SCENE I. Venice. A court of justice.▸SCENE II. The same. A street.

    ▸SCENE I. Belmont. Avenue to PORTIA'S house.

    Characters

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    ShylockJewish moneylender of VenicePortiaHeiress of BelmontAntonioVenetian merchantBassanioVenetian gentleman, Portia's suitor

    Famous Quotes

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    “All that glisters is not gold; Often have you heard that told.”

    Morocco — Act 2, Scene 7

    “The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath.”

    Portia — Act 4, Scene 1

    “If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die?”

    Shylock — Act 3, Scene 1

    Further Reading

    10 Powerful Female Characters in Shakespeare

    From Lady Macbeth to Beatrice, these ten women prove that Shakespeare's female characters are anything but dated. Meet the heroines who seize agency, mock patriarchy and still set the bar for complexity.

    Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More

    A curated collection of Shakespeare's most famous lines, organised by theme, from love and loss to daily wisdom, sport and celebration. Each quote includes the play it comes from and why it still resonates.

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