"The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare is a complex, multi-layered play with multiple themes including love, friendship, money, prejudice, and justice vs. mercy.
The story revolves around Antonio, a wealthy merchant, and his friend Bassanio, who needs money to court the wealthy heiress, Portia, who resides in Belmont. Antonio, having invested his wealth in merchant ships currently at sea, helps his friend out by securing a loan from Shylock, a ................................