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ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Drama / Comedy / Problem Play

Book Review:
''The Merchant of Venice'' is a play that will stay with you and make you think. It's often called a comedy, but it's one of Shakespeare's most uncomfortable and complex works. At its heart is Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, one of the most memorable and debated characters in all of literature. Is he a villain or a victim? His famous ''Hath not a Jew eyes?'' speech demands our sympathy, while his demand for a pound of flesh horrifies us. The play forces us to confront questions of justice, mercy, prejudice, and revenge that have no easy answers. The courtroom scene, with Portia disguised as a lawyer, is one of the most dramatic and brilliant scenes Shakespeare ever wrote. And Portia's ''quality of mercy'' speech is justly famous. It's a play that rewards rereading and careful thought. This Cambridge edition is excellent, with notes that help you navigate its complexities. A must-read.