William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is a richly complicated and, to some, a deeply disturbing work. Several themes are presented within the framework of a traditional comedy that calls for the triumph of young lovers over their restrictive elders. Yet, the play, with its highly debated portrayal of the moneylender Shylock, resists easy categorization, incorporating elements of tragedy and romance in equal portion. This new edition of critical essays features an introduction by Shakespearean scholar Harold Bloom, a chronology of the Bard's life, a bibliography, and an index for quick reference.

Introduction / Harold Bloom -- Marriage and mercifixion in The merchant of Venice: the casket scene revisited / Harry Berger, Jr -- The cuckoo's note: male friendship and cuckoldry in The merchant of Venice / Coppélia kahn -- Portia's Belmont / Richard A. Levin -- The merchant of Venice / Robert Ornstein -- A garden in Belmont: The merchant of Venice, 5.1 / Harry Levin -- "Which is the merchant here? and which the Jew?": the Venice of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice / Tony Tanner -- The merchant of Venice / W.H. Auden -- The merchant of Venice and the value of money / Peter D. Holland -- Law and self-interest in The merchant of Venice / Grace Tiffany.