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The Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare

When a Venetian merchant defaults on a loan from Jewish moneylender Shylock, who demands a pound of flesh as payment, fatal consequences loom.

"The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare is a play. When a Venetian merchant defaults on a loan from Jewish moneylender Shylock, who demands a pound of flesh as payment, fatal consequences loom.

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Read a passage

ANTONIO. In sooth I know not why I am so sad, It wearies me, you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn. And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, That I have much ado to know myself.

SALARINO. Your mind is tossing on the ocean, There where your argosies, with portly sail Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood, Or as it were the pageants of the sea, Do overpeer the petty traffickers That curtsy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings.

SOLANIO. Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth, The better part of my affections would Be with my hopes abroad. I should be still Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind, Peering in maps for ports, and piers and roads; And every object that might make me fear Misfortune to my ventures, out of doubt Would make me sad.

Contents

  1. 01Act I
  2. 02Scene I. Venice. A street.
  3. 03Scene II. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
  4. 04Scene III. Venice. A public place.
  5. 05Act II
  6. 06Scene I. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
  7. 07Scene II. Venice. A street.
  8. 08Scene III. The same. A room in Shylock’s house.
  9. 09Scene IV. The same. A street.
  10. 10Scene V. The same. Before Shylock’s house.
  11. 11Scene VI. The same.
  12. 12Scene VII. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
  13. 13Scene VIII. Venice. A street.
  14. 14Scene IX. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
  15. 15Act III
  16. 16Scene I. Venice. A street.
  17. 17Scene II. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
  18. 18Scene III. Venice. A street.
  19. 19Scene IV. Belmont. A room in Portia’s house.
  20. 20Scene V. The same. A garden.
  21. 21Act IV
  22. 22Scene I. Venice. A court of justice.
  23. 23Scene II. The same. A street.
  24. 24Act V
  25. 25Scene I. Belmont. The avenue to Portia’s house.

About this edition

Author
William Shakespeare
Era
Early modern (c. 1500–1800)
Reading level
Introductory: no background needed
Formats
EPUB, PDF
Length
130 pages
This edition
Modern Philosophers