The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare, and though classified as a comedy in the First Folio as well as sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare’s other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic scenes. Bassanio is considered as the central hero of the story, and his dearest friend Antonio, mainly described as the kindest man in this world.

The title character is the merchant Antonio, who is haunted by the Jewish moneylender Shylock, a greedy and manipulative skinflint who will stop at nothing to receive his payments.