Shakespeare A to Z | Merchant of Venice, The
Shakespeare’s most controversial play, The Merchant of Venice centers on SHYLOCK, a Jewish moneylender who dominates the action, even though he appears in only five scenes. Shylock often seems to be a vicious, greedy, and bloodthirsty villain, and some critics have responded to the character by attacking the play as anti-Semitic*. Argument over this issue continues to arouse strong feelings among readers, playgoers, and theater professionals, just as it has for much of the play’s varied 400-year history.
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