The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is a comedy by William Shakespeare. While the play is technically a comedy it is best known for its dramatic scenes and for a debate surrounding its perceived anti-semitic themes.

The Merchant of Venice tells the story of Bassanio, a young Venetian, who wishes to to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia. He approaches his friend Antonio for money needed to subsidize his traveling expenditures as a suitor for three months. As all of Antonio's ships and merchandise are busy at sea, Bassanio turns to the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Shylock, who hates Antonio because he had insulted and spat on him for being a Jew, proposes a condition. If Antonio is unable to repay the loan at the specified date, Shylock can take a pound of Antonio's flesh. Although Bassanio does not want Antonio to accept such a risky condition, Antonio accedes and signs the contract. This contract becomes the dramatic center around which the plot revolves.

1. Antonio: a Merchant of Venice
2. Bassanio: his friend
3. Portia: a rich Heiress
4. Shylock: a rich Jew
5. The Duke of Venice

• "But love is blind..."

• "All that glisters is not gold."

• "The portrait of a blinking idiot."

• "In sooth I know not why I am so sad"

• "It is a wise father that knows his own child."

• "A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off nearest the merchant's heart."

• Note: These links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• 1908: The Merchant of Venice (Silent)

• 1927: The Merchant of Venice First Sound Production

• 1969: The Merchant of Venice (TV) (Orson Welles)

• 1973: The Merchant of Venice (TV) (Laurence Olivier) (Joan Plowright)

• 1980: The Merchant of Venice (TV) (John Rhys-Davies)

• 2004: The Merchant of Venice (Al Pacino) (Jeremy Irons) (Joseph Fiennes)