Primary sourceBookprobably 1596-1598, printed 1623
The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare · probably 1596-1598, printed 1623
Shakespeare's comedy about debt, mercy and prejudice in Venice, heard here as a modern volunteer audio reading of the text.
Shakespeare wrote this comedy; the recording is a modern volunteer reading of his original text.
About this source
What it is
This is a recording of The Merchant of Venice, written by William Shakespeare probably between 1596 and 1598 and printed in the First Folio of 1623. The story follows Bassanio, who borrows money from the moneylender Shylock using his friend Antonio's credit, pledging a pound of flesh if the loan is not repaid. The audio is a modern volunteer reading of the text, not an original performance.
Why it matters
The play raises difficult questions about mercy, revenge, money and prejudice, and its portrayal of Shylock has long been debated for how it represents Jewish characters. Studying it shows both Shakespeare's dramatic skill and the attitudes of his time.
Look closer
- How does the play ask audiences to judge mercy versus strict justice?
- Why has Shylock's character been so controversial over time?
- What does this play suggest about Elizabethan attitudes toward outsiders?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of William Shakespeare on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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