• Antonio – a prominent merchant of Venice in a melancholic mood
• Bassanio – Antonio's close friend; suitor to Portia; later the husband of Portia
• Gratiano … See more

The forfeit of a merchant's deadly bond after standing surety for a friend's loan was a common tale in England in the late 16th century. In addition, … See more

The date of composition of The Merchant of Venice is believed to be between 1596 and 1598. The play was mentioned by Francis Meres in 1598, so it must have been familiar on the … See more

The earliest performance of which a record has survived was held at the court of King James in the spring of 1605, followed by a second performance a few days later, but there is no record of … See more

Bassanio, a young Venetian of noble rank, wishes to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia of Belmont. Having squandered his … See more

Shylock and the antisemitism debate
The play is frequently staged, but is potentially troubling to modern audiences because of its central … See more

The play has inspired many adaptions and several works of fiction.
Film, TV and radio versions
• 1914 – The Merchant of Venice, a silent film directed by Lois Weber and Phillips Smalley. Weber played Portia and Smalley, her … See more