Publisher's Synopsis
The Signet Classics edition of William Shakespeare's black comedy.
A complex play that combines pathos and humor, The Merchant of Venice also introduces one of Shakespeare's most memorable villains, the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who famously demands a "pound of flesh" for what he is owed.
This revised Signet Classics edition includes unique features such as:
An overview of Shakespeare's life, world, and theater
A special introduction to the play by the editor, Kenneth Myrick
Notes on the sources of The Merchant of Venice
Dramatic criticism from Nicholas Rowe, William Hazlitt, Elmer Edgar Stoll, and others
A comprehensive stage and screen history of notable actors, directors, and productions
Text, notes, and commentaries printed in the clearest, most readable text
And more...
