TheMerchantofVenice(CollinsClassics)

HarperCollinsisproudtopresentitsincrediblerangeofbest-loved,essentialclassics.'Thequalityofmercyisnotstrain'd,Itdroppethasthegentlerainfromheaven'Bassiano,anobleVenetian,hopestowoothebeautifulheiressPortia.However,herequiresfinancialassistancefromhisfriendAntonio.Antonioagrees,buthe,inturn,mustborrowfromtheJewishmoneylenderShylock.Asrecourseforpastills,ShylockstipulatesthattheforfeitontheloanmustbeapoundofAntonio'sflesh.Inthemostrenownedonstagelawsceneofalltime,PortiaprovesherselfoneofShakespeare'smostcunningheroines,disguisingherselfasalawyerandvanquishingShylock'sclaims;meanwhile,Shylocktriumphsonahumanitarianlevelwithhispleafortolerance:'HathnotaJeweyes?'Viewedparadoxicallyasanti-Semitic,whileatthesametimepowerfullyliberalforitstime,TheMerchantofVeniceisatitscoreabittersweetdrama,exploringthenoblethemesofprejudice,justiceandhonour.