The Merchant of Venice

Set in a complex interplay of comedy and drama, the story revolves around Antonio, a merchant, and Shylock, a Jewish moneylender who embodies both villainy and victimhood. Written in the late 16th century, the play explores themes of mercy, justice, and prejudice, prompting audiences to grapple with their perceptions of Shylock. While it shares elements with Shakespeare's romantic comedies, its deeper moral questions and dramatic tension have led to its classification as a problem play, inviting varied interpretations.