Overview of The Oxford Shakespeare: The Merchant Of Venice (Oxford World s Classics) Book

The Oxford Shakespeare: The Merchant Of Venice (Oxford World s Classics), a play by William Shakespeare, is one of the most famous of its time. The Merchant Of Venice is famous for its comedy and its notable dramatic scenes. A prominent character in the play is Shylock, who is a Jewish moneylender.Antonio is a wealthy merchant of Venice who is hated by Shylock. Antonio is approached by Bassanio, a young Venetian noble. Bassanio asks Antonio for the money that he needs to use to win the heart of his beloved, Portia. Although Antonio wants to help, he can only assure Bassanio that he will cover a bond if Bassanio can find a lender, since Antonio s ships are out at sea, carrying all his merchandise. Bassanio is forced to ask Shylock, the Jewish moneylender and uses Antonio as the loan s guarantor. After much reluctance, Shylock agrees to lend money to Antonio without interest but on the condition that in case Antonio doesn t pay back the money before the stipulated time, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio s flesh. Bassanio expresses his misgivings about the deal but Antonio agrees to the contract.In Belmont, Portia, the love of Bassanio, is surrounded by suitors. However, in order to get Portia, the suitors have to choose the correct casket out of a set of three, in which one is gold, one is silver and one is lead. Two princes from Morocco and Arragon return empty-handed due to their wrong choice of casket. Bassanio, whom Portia also loves, chooses lead and wins Portia s heart.Bassanio returns to Venice, having brought Portia s money, in order to save Antonio, who fails to repay Shylock as his ships are reported to be lost at sea. However, Shylock refuses Bassanio s money and insists on his pound of flesh from Antonio. How will Antonio be saved from Shylock?The Oxford Shakespeare: The Merchant Of Venice (Oxford World s Classics) is based on a fresh examination of the early editions of the play, addressing Shakespeare s attitude toward semitism. Oxford World s Classics has made a wide range of literature available to its readers, reflecting its commitment to valuable features and up-to-date bibliographies.The Oxford Shakespeare: The Merchant Of Venice (Oxford World s Classics) was published by Oxford University Press in 2008 and is available in paperback. Key Features: The book offers an interesting collection of production photographs and drawings of Renaissance merchants and Jews.It also has a survey of the play s stage history.

• • Book Type :

Humanities

• • Book Binding :

Paperback

• • Language :

English

• • Number of Pages :

256 pages

• • ISBN - 10 :

019953585X

• • The Oxford Shakespeare: The Merchant Of Venice (Oxford World s Classics) Published On :

30 Oct 2009

• • Resource:

Textbooks, Humanities Books for Students, Teachers, Graudates, Professionals and all others

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