THE MERCHANT OF VENICE LIFE AND BACKGROUND OF THE PLAYWRIGHT A BRIEF SYNOPSIS LIST OF CHARACTERS CRITICAL COMMENTARIES CHARACTER ANALYSES ANTONIO BASSANIO PORTIA SHYLOCK.
This play is a romantic comedy. But as the story of a young merchant who cannot repay a debt to vindictive money lender, it has a very dark obstacle in the character of Shylock, one of the most vivid and memorable characters in Shakespeare's works.