The Merchant of Venice is perhaps most associated not with its titular
hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock.
The play was described as a comedy in the First Folio but its modern
audiences find it more problematic to categorise. The vilification of
Shylock 'the Jew' can be very uncomfortable for a post-holocaust
audience and debates continue as to whether Shakespeare's portrayal of
this complex man is sympathetic or anti-semitic.
John Drakakis' comprehensive introduction traces the stage history of
the figure of the Jew and looks boldly at twenty-first century issues
surrounding it. He also explores other themes of the play such as
father/daughter relations, the power of money and the forceful character
of Portia, to offer readers an energetic, original and revelatory
reading of this challenging play.