Merchant Of Venice

Edited, introduced, and annotated by Cedric Watts, M.A., Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of English, University of Sussex

The Wordsworth Classics’ Shakespeare Series presents a newly-edited sequence of William Shakespeare’s works. The textual editing takes account of recent scholarship while giving the material a careful reappraisal.

About The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies.

• Shylock, though vanquished in the law-court, often triumphs in the theatre.
• His intensity allows him to dominate the play, challenging abrasively its romantic and lyrical affirmations.
• The result is a bitter-sweet drama.

Key Themes

While The Merchant of Venice offers some of the traditional pleasures of romantic comedy, it also demonstrates how Shakespeare’s works continue to resonate with contemporary audiences.