The Merchant of Venice is the story of a Jewish moneylender who demands that an antisemitic Christian offer “a pound of flesh” as collateral against a loan. First performed in 1598, Shakespeare’s study of religious difference remains controversial. Read a Character Analysis of Shylock, Full Plot Summary and important Quotes.
Summary
Read our full plot summary and analysis of The Merchant of Venice, chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, and more.
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Characters
See a complete list of the characters in The Merchant of Venice and in-depth analyses of Shylock, Portia, Antonio, Jessica, and Bassanio.
Literary Devices
Here's where you'll find analysis of the literary devices in The Merchant of Venice, from the major themes to motifs, symbols, and more.
Questions & Answers
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Quotes
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Quick Quizzes
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Essays
Get ready to ace your The Merchant of Venice paper with our suggested essay topics, helpful essays about historical and literary context, a sample A+ student essay, and more.
Further Study
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