The Merchant Of Venice(Illustrated) E-Book

William Shakespeare

• Herausgeber: Micheal Smith
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

• Illustrated Edition: Features 20 stunning illustrations enhancing the reading experience.
• Comprehensive Character List: Detailed list and descriptions of all characters, aiding in understanding their roles and relationships.
• Engaging Summary: A concise and captivating summary to provide context and enhance comprehension.
• Author Biography: Insightful biography of William Shakespeare, offering a glimpse into the life of one of literature's greatest figures.

Dive into the captivating world of "The Merchant of Venice," William Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, now in a beautifully illustrated edition. This classic play, renowned for its vivid characters and intricate plot, comes to life with 20 stunning illustrations, adding a visual depth to Shakespeare's rich storytelling.
We meet a wide range of people whose lives intersect in the vibrant city of Venice in this story about love, justice, and the price of decisions. The complicated character of Jewish moneylender Shylock, who wants a pound of flesh as security for a loan, is at the center of the narrative. His harsh words prepared the audience for an engrossing drama about mercy, retaliation, and the pursuit of justice.
This edition not only visualizes the grandeur and drama of Renaissance Venice but also aids in understanding through a comprehensive list of characters. Each character is brought to life, not just by the illustrations but also through detailed descriptions, helping readers navigate the complex web of relationships and motivations.
To enrich your reading experience, a concise summary is included, offering a quick reference to the plot's key points and themes. This allows both new and returning readers to immerse themselves fully in the narrative, appreciating its nuances and layers.
Furthermore, this edition is graced with an insightful biography of William Shakespeare. Understand the man behind the words, his life, his inspirations, and how he came to write some of the most influential works in the English language.
Whether you're a lifelong fan of Shakespeare or discovering his works for the first time, this illustrated edition of "The Merchant of Venice" is a must-have for your collection. It promises not just a reading experience, but a journey into the heart of human emotion and the timeless complexities of moral dilemmas.

 

Leseprobe

THE

MERCHANT OF VENICE

BY

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE

English Stratford-upon-Avon was the birthplace of William Shakespeare in April of 1564. Many people consider him to be the best playwright of all time.  Reflecting the vibrant and frequently turbulent times he lived in, his life, which spanned the Elizabethan and early Jacobean periods, was distinguished by both personal accomplishments and societal unrest.

Shakespeare was raised at Stratford, where he most likely attended the King's New School and obtained a good education. Three children were born into his marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582: twins Hamnet and Judith, as well as Susanna.Shakespeare was strongly impacted by Hamnet's tragic death at the age of 11.

In the late 1580s, Shakespeare moved to London, embarking on what would become a legendary career in the theatre. He became a prominent figure in the London theatrical scene, first as an actor and then as a playwright. His involvement with the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a leading theatre company of the time, saw him become both a shareholder and the company's principal playwright.

His works, numbering 37 plays and 154 sonnets, encompass a wide range of genres, including comedies like "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," tragedies such as "Hamlet" and "Macbeth," and histories like "Henry V." These works were not only popular in his lifetime but have also endured, becoming cornerstones of English literature.

Notably, Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe Theatre, a venue he had a stake in. The Globe became synonymous with his work, drawing large, diverse audiences and contributing significantly to the cultural life of London.

Shakespeare's literature is well known for its rich character development, elegant language, and in-depth examination of human nature. His deft story-telling skills, use of language, and understanding of human nature have had a lasting impression on both theater and literature.

Despite his fame, Shakespeare's personal life remains shrouded in mystery. This lack of detail has led to numerous speculations and debates about his life, including his education, religious beliefs, and even the authorship of his works.

Shakespeare retired to Stratford in the early 17th century, where he lived until his death on April 23, 1616. His legacy, however, has far transcended his life, influencing countless writers, actors, and artists, and continues to captivate audiences around the world to this day. His works are not only a reflection of the human experience but also a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.

SUMMARY

One of William Shakespeare's most well-known plays, "The Merchant of Venice," skillfully combines humor and drama in an engrossing examination of justice, prejudice, and love. The drama, which takes place in Belmont and Venice in the sixteenth century, centers on the complicated connections that Antonio, a well-respected merchant, has with his buddy Bassanio, the wealthy heiress Portia, and the cruel moneylender Shylock.

Bassanio seeks to win the hand of Portia, a lady of Belmont known for her beauty and intelligence. To do so, he needs financial assistance and turns to Antonio. Unfortunately, Antonio's wealth is tied up in his merchant ships, so he borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender who harbors resentment against Antonio for his anti-Semitic attitudes.

One startling clause in the loan arrangement is that Antonio will have to offer Shylock a pound of his flesh if he doesn't make the repayments on time. Shylock demands a hefty payment from Antonio after it is rumored that his ships are lost at sea, setting up a dramatic court scene. Disguised as a young male lawyer, Portia makes the well-known "quality of mercy" speech, promoting mercy over harsh punishment.

The play's climax in the Venetian court is a powerful commentary on mercy, justice, and the human capacity for both cruelty and kindness. Shylock's demand for a pound of flesh is a metaphor for the relentless pursuit of revenge, while Portia's plea for mercy underscores the play's deeper moral message.

"The Merchant of Venice" is renowned for its complex characters, notably Shylock, who is both a villain and a victim, reflecting the anti-Semitism of the era while also eliciting sympathy. The play's themes of love, law, and mercy, intertwined with issues of race, religion, and ethics, make it a timeless and thought-provoking masterpiece that continues to resonate with modern audiences.

CHARACTERS LIST

William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" has a large and varied cast of characters, all of whom are vital to the way the plot develops. The principal characters are listed as follows:

Antonio: The main character, the Venetian trader, asks Shylock for a loan of money so he can support his friend Bassanio. He is giving and melancholy.

Bassanio: Antonio's close friend, who needs money to court Portia. He is young, adventurous, and romantically inclined.

Portia: A prosperous Belmont heiress renowned for her brilliance, humor, and beauty. Her father's will requires her to wed the man who selects the appropriate coffin.

Shylock: A Jewish moneylender in Venice, who lends money to Antonio under a strict bond. He is a complex character, often seen as both a villain and a victim.

Jessica: Shylock’s daughter, who falls in love with Lorenzo and converts to Christianity, leaving her father's house with his money and jewels.

Lorenzo: A friend of Antonio and Bassanio, who elopes with Jessica. He is romantic and idealistic.

Gratiano: A friend of Antonio and Bassanio, noted for his witty and talkative nature. He marries Nerissa.

Nerissa: Portia’s lady-in-waiting and confidante, who marries Gratiano.

Launcelot Gobbo: A comical character, he is Shylock’s servant who leaves to work for Bassanio.

Old Gobbo: Launcelot’s father, who is nearly blind.

The Duke of Venice: The authority who presides over the court case between Shylock and Antonio.

Prince of Morocco and Prince of Arragon: Suitors of Portia who attempt to win her hand by choosing the correct casket.

The characters in "The Merchant of Venice" are intricately woven into a narrative that explores themes of mercy, justice, love, and prejudice, making the play a rich tapestry of human emotions and societal reflections.

Contents

Dramatis Personae

ACT 1

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

ACT 2

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6

Scene 7

Scene 8

Scene 9

ACT 3

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

ACT 4

Scene 1

Scene 2

ACT 5

Scene 1

Dramatis Personae

THE DUKE OF VENICE

THE PRINCE OF MOROCCO, suitor to Portia

THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitor to Portia

ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice

BASSANIO, his friend

SALANIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio

SALARINO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio

GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio

LORENZO, in love with Jessica

SHYLOCK, a rich Jew

TUBAL, a Jew, his friend

LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock

OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelot

LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio

BALTHASAR, servant to Portia

STEPHANO, servant to Portia

PORTIA, a rich heiress

NERISSA, her waiting-maid

JESSICA, daughter to Shylock

Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, Servants to Portia, and other Attendants

SCENE: Partly at Venice, and partly at Belmont, the seat of Portia, on the Continent.

ACT 1

Scene 1

Venice. A street.

Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO

ANTONIO

In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:It wearies me; you say it wearies you;But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,I am to learn;And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,That I have much ado to know myself.

SALARINO

Your mind is tossing on the ocean;There, where your argosies with portly sail,Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood,Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea,Do overpeer the petty traffickers,That curtsy to them, do them reverence,As they fly by them with their woven wings.

SALANIO

Believe me, sir, had I such venture forth,The better part of my affections wouldBe with my hopes abroad. I should be stillPlucking the grass, to know where sits the wind,Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads;And every object that might make me fearMisfortune to my ventures, out of doubtWould make me sad.

SALARINO

My wind cooling my brothWould blow me to an ague, when I thoughtWhat harm a wind too great at sea might do.I should not see the sandy hour-glass run,But I should think of shallows and of flats,And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand,Vailing her high-top lower than her ribsTo kiss her burial. Should I go to churchAnd see the holy edifice of stone,And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks,Which touching but my gentle vessel's side,Would scatter all her spices on the stream,Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks,And, in a word, but even now worth this,And now worth nothing? Shall I have the thoughtTo think on this, and shall I lack the thoughtThat such a thing bechanced would make me sad?But tell not me; I know, AntonioIs sad to think upon his merchandise.

ANTONIO

Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it,My ventures are not in one bottom trusted,Nor to one place; nor is my whole estateUpon the fortune of this present year:Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.

SALARINO

Why, then you are in love.

ANTONIO

Fie, fie!

SALARINO

Not in love neither? Then let us say you are sad,Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easyFor you to laugh and leap and say you are merry,Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Janus,Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time:Some that will evermore peep through their eyesAnd laugh like parrots at a bag-piper,And other of such vinegar aspectThat they'll not show their teeth in way of smile,Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

Enter BASSANIO, LORENZO, and GRATIANO

SALANIO

Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,Gratiano and Lorenzo. Fare ye well:We leave you now with better company.

SALARINO

I would have stay'd till I had made you merry,If worthier friends had not prevented me.

ANTONIO

Your worth is very dear in my regard.I take it, your own business calls on youAnd you embrace the occasion to depart.

SALARINO

Good morrow, my good lords.

BASSANIO

Good signiors both, when shall we laugh? say, when?You grow exceeding strange: must it be so?

SALARINO

We'll make our leisures to attend on yours.

Exeunt Salarino and Salanio

LORENZO