Book Review: The Merchant of Venice 

By William Shakespeare 

5 Stars

The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays. The play follows Antonio – a wealthy merchant, and Shylock – a moneylender. These two characters are by far the most important. However, they are certainly not the focus point of the play. The plot mainly focuses on an unbreakable bond between Antonio and Shylock. However, this is no bond of friendship; it is one of revenge, anger, and resentment of one another. Although Antonio may be a wealthy merchant, tragedy strikes, and he no longer has the money to pay off his loan to Shylock. Shylock seeks revenge, and it is this that is the centre of the play.  

The Merchant of Venice, like many Shakespearean plays, has some of the most remarkably written characters. This play is no exception. The dynamics of the characters in the play are what makes this play so entertaining. The play highlights hatred, sympathy, and disgust for all of the characters in the play. The reader may feel hatred for one character during one scene, but they may feel the opposite as another side of the character is shown in another scene. The parallels of characters are my favourite component in the play. It is with character dynamics and their parallels that the play shines.  

There is little not to like in this play. However, it is important to note the anti-semitism in the play. The play was written at a time when anti-semitism was practiced readily among the general population of Shakespeare’s country. Therefore, the portrayals of some of the characters are stereotypical and wrong.  

The Merchant of Venice is a powerful piece of literature belonging to one of the most revolutionary playwrights and authors. The play has incredible storytelling, characters, themes, and ideas. I would highly recommend The Merchant of Venice to any readers who appreciate Shakespeare and his work, as well as those who enjoy dramatic and spontaneous tales. 

Reviewed by Aayan 

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