The Merchant of Venice (Dover Thrift Editions)
by William Shakespeare

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Book Reviews of The Merchant of Venice (Dover Thrift Editions)

Book Review: Mixed emotions.
Summary: 2 Stars

The problem is, there are some very good things to be said about this story, but also some very bad things. A modern reader almost certainly takes a very different message from the story than one in Shakespeare's time, when it was perfectly acceptable to stereotype Jews as venal moneylenders, and when forcing a Jew to convert to Christianity at the end of the play could be considered to be in keeping with the "happy ending for all" required of comedies at the time.

Granted, Shylock is not a particularly attractive character, so it is difficult to feel much sympathy for him, but as difficult as it is to make him sympathetic, Shakespeare (apparently unintentionally) manages. The man is not only cheated out of his (contractually due) spiteful revenge, but is not even allowed to accept a lesser payment once it is made apparent that he dare not hold Antonio to his word. He loses his daughter; she not only runs away but steals from him in the process, and yet he is not even allowed to disinherit her. And, of course, he's forced to convert to the religion of the people who did all of this to him. He may have been unappealing, but not enough to deserve all of THAT.

Further, although Antonio is shown as being generous and brave enough to accept his fate when he thought it was unavoidable, he is a fool for allowing himself to be in that position to start with, and is all too quick to allow Shylock to be cheated of ANY recompense once he's given leave to do so. A TRUE hero would have INSISTED on paying the man his principle and more once let off the hook for his life, even when the "judge" ruled that Shylock had refused any payment other than his bond.

In spite of all of this, the play is not unenjoyable, and is as well-written as one expects from Shakespeare, with some interesting plot twists and some good lines (ironically, some of the best being given to Shylock, making it clear that Shakespeare wasn't COMPLETELY unaware of the humanity of the character). The language is also somewhat less obscure to the modern reader than in some of Shakespeare's work, especially his comedies.

Definitely worth reading, but be forewarned that the attitude toward Shylock (and to a lesser extent, toward his daughter) will be downright offensive to most in the modern audience.

Summary of The Merchant of Venice (Dover Thrift Editions)

Drama Books

• Subjects > Literature & Fiction > Drama
• British
• Teens