The Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare

May 2016 · Author's Republic · Narrated by Elizabeth Klett

About this audiobook

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice was probably written between 1596 and 1598, and was printed with the comedies in the First Folio of 1623. Bassanio, an impoverished gentleman, uses the credit of his friend, the merchant Antonio, to borrow money from a wealthy Jew, Shylock. Antonio pledges to pay Shylock a pound of flesh if he defaults on the loan, which Bassanio will use to woo a rich heiress, Portia. A subplot concerns the elopement of Shylock's daughter Jessica with a Christian, Bassanio's friend Lorenzo. In its focus on love and marriage, the play shares certain concerns with Shakespeare's other comedies. Yet its depiction of the tensions between Jews and Christians in early modern Venice - and its highly dramatic trial scene in Act 4 - create darker currents in the play.

Ratings and reviews

I love it. The story will be evergreen till the death of earth.I absolutely love reading all kinds of books, but I do lean to romance a bit more than others so I thought I would try to read it, reading this literally made my head hurt like never before and I cannot finish it. I don't think I will be reading any more of her books for awhile.This is one of the best book I came across with I love it I can read ever and ever and ever again

The climactic trial scene, in which Shylock demands his pound of flesh as repayment for a debt owed to him by Antonio, serves as a powerful exploration of justice, mercy, and the rule of law. As the characters grapple with questions of fairness and compassion, Shakespeare prompts readers to reflect on the nature of justice and the complexities of human morality.

The Merchant of Venice is a thought-provoking and multi-layered play that explores themes of love, justice, prejudice, and the complexities of human nature. Set in Venice during the Renaissance period, this captivating work of literature is renowned for its rich characterizations, intricate plot, and profound insights into the human condition.