About the Author:
William Shakespeare, also known as “Bard of Avon”, is regarded as one of the greatest writer in the English language and the finest dramatist of the world. He was a successful English poet, Playwright, and actor. He is often called England’s National Poet. His works have been translated into every major language of the world, and are performed the most as compared to any other playwright. His works, along with some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and few other verses, of which the authorship of some is unconfirmed. Shakespeare’s private life is much speculated about, as too few records of his private life have survived. The known works of Shakespeare were produced between 1589 and 1613. In the early phase as a playwright, Shakespeare mostly produced comedies and histories, and these works are considered as one of the best in these genres. Afterwards, he wrote tragedies until about 1608, which include Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello. These works are also one of the finest in English language, and literature. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights.
From the Back Cover:
The Merchant of Venice is best known for its complex and ambiguous portrait of the Jewish moneylender Shylock--and of European anti-Semitism. Fascinating in its engagement with prejudice, the play is also a comedy of cross-dressing and disguise, and a dramatic exploration of justice, mercy, and vengeance. This volume contains the full text of the play with explanatory footnotes and marginal glosses for contemporary readers. A well-rounded selection of background materials not only illuminates anti-Semitism in early modern England but also provides context for other facets of the play, including its comic plot of love and marriage, its examination of usury and international trade, and its themes of revenge and the law.
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