full title
The Comical History of the Merchant of Venice,
or Otherwise Called the Jew of Venice
author
William Shakespeare
type of work
Play
genre
Comedy
language
English
time and place written
1598; London, England
date of first publication
First published in the Quarto of 1600
publisher
I. R. for Thomas Heys
tone
Comic, romantic, tragic
setting (time)
Sixteenth century
setting (place)
Venice and Belmont, Italy
protagonist
There is no clear protagonist. Antonio is the merchant
of the play’s title, but he plays a relatively passive role. The
major struggles of the play are Bassanio’s quest to marry Portia
and his attempt to free Antonio from Shylock, so Bassanio is the
likeliest candidate.
major conflict
Antonio defaults on a loan he borrowed from Shylock,
wherein he promises to sacrifice a pound of flesh.
rising action
Antonio’s ships, the only means by which he can pay
off his debt to Shylock, are reported lost at sea.
climax
Portia, disguised as a man of law, intervenes on Antonio’s
behalf.
falling action
Shylock is ordered to convert to Christianity and
bequeath his possessions to Lorenzo and Jessica; Portia and Nerissa
persuade their husbands to give up their rings
themes
Self-interest versus love; the divine quality of mercy;
hatred as a cyclical phenomenon
motifs
The law; cross-dressing; filial piety
symbols
The pound of flesh; Leah’s ring; the three caskets
foreshadowing
In the play’s opening scene, Shakespeare foreshadows
Antonio’s grim future by suggesting both his indebtedness to a creditor
and the loss of his valuable ships.
