William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English poet, actor and one of the greatest writers to ever use the English language. He was also the world's greatest playwright of all times, with his plays being translated in over 50 languages and performed across the globe for audiences of all ages. Known as ""The Bard"" or the ""Bard of Avon," Shakespeare created his own theatre on the River Thames in 1599 and named it the Globe Theatre, a historical theatre, that is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Shakespeare ...
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William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English poet, actor and one of the greatest writers to ever use the English language. He was also the world's greatest playwright of all times, with his plays being translated in over 50 languages and performed across the globe for audiences of all ages. Known as ""The Bard"" or the ""Bard of Avon," Shakespeare created his own theatre on the River Thames in 1599 and named it the Globe Theatre, a historical theatre, that is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 -1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best work produced in these genres. His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 37 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. And even after 400 long years, his plays are still read, loved and relevant in today's society. Shakespeare wrote about timeless themes such as life and death, youth and old age, love and hate, fate and freedom, to name but a few. Shakespeare's plays are studied in academia all across the world, the most famous are: Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar and Macbeth. Apart from the rich language, these plays contain a great deal of valuable advice.
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Add this copy of The Merchant of Venice to cart. $10.30, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2022 by Pharos Books Private Limited.
"The Merchant of Venice" is often condemned for its look at the Jewish community during Shakespeare's day, but it is sadly accurate to that time: antisemitism was rife across Europe and the feelings expressed by characters are ones that were felt by most of the non-Jewish society. It may disturb readers on this side of the Holocaust to read a play that portrays the Jew as the stereotypical hard-nosed banker, but it must at least be recognized that the sentiments expressed here were, however wrong, accurate to the age.
As for the rest of the play, it has some memorable characters (such as Portia, the heroine), a light-hearted brand of romance, and a few parts of comedy that lighten up the story considerably. The style was enjoyable and, if you can view the antisemitism without taking too much offence, the play is worth reading.
Welly
Nov 8, 2007
Political Incorrectness
In recent years it seems to have become almost obligatory for those who would wish to be thought 'right-minded' to condemn this play as 'racist'. It is not. This is a play ABOUT racism and racial hostility. Shakespeare never approves or condemns what his characters say; he is only interested in why they say what they say.
