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Under the editorial supervision of Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen, two of today’s most accomplished Shakespearean scholars, this Modern Library series incorporates definitive texts and authoritative notes from William Shakespeare: Complete Works. Each play includes an Introduction as well as an overview of Shakespeare’s theatrical career; commentary on past and current productions based on interviews with leading directors, actors, and designers; scene-by-scene analysis; key facts about the work; a chronology of Shakespeare’s life and times; and black-and-white illustrations.
Ideal for students, theater professionals, and general readers, these modern and accessible editions from the Royal Shakespeare Company set a new standard in Shakespearean literature for the twenty-first century.
Anonymous
Posted July 31, 2002
This is a wonderful play - and unless you have seen it or read it you don't know it at all. That's because everything the popular culture tells us about this play is false (for example; how many of you think this play is about a merchant named Shylock? ;-)<P> The Merchant of Venice is about a merchant named Antonio and his efforts to help his daughter Portia, find a suitable husband. A significant subplot involves a cruel, greedy Jew named Shylock. Some call this play anti-Semitic because of Shylock¿s character, it isn¿t. Making a bad guy Jewish is not anti-Semitic. The other Jew in the play is Shylock¿s daughter Jessica, and she is sweet, kind, and compassionate.<P> There is powerful verbal conflict between the Christian and Jewish world-views in which both sides get a fair hearing and get in their licks. This is almost unheard of today because the Christian side of this dialectic is considered politically incorrect.<P> The Merchant of Venice is a lively and happy morality tale. Good triumphs over bad - charity over greed - love over hate. There is fine comedy. Portia is one of Shakespeare's great women. There are moments of empathy and pain with all the major characters. There is great humanity and earthiness in this play. These things are what elevate Shakespeare over any other playwright in English history. <P> Plays should be seen - not read. I recommend you see this play (if you can find a theater with the courage and skill to do it). But if it is not playing in your area this season - buy the book and read
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 23, 2003
I go to college and for english we had to read the mercant of Venice. It toke me awhile to understand the book but I just kept reading it over and over and I finally understood it. I enjoyed the book as it is different then any other book, it has a script to it so the whole class got to join in, so it ended up being an enjoyable book to read to the class. If you would like a change instead of reading a book that is like every other chose the merchant of venice as it is totally different. I hope you enjoy reading the merchant of venice if you pick to read it.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 7, 2000
This book is one of the best plays I have read! The book features many different characters, which have many attributes that pertain to the main part of the story. The trial scene is an amazing one, with Shylock, the plantiff having the tables turned back onto himself. This is a remarkable book. Anyone who has read Shakespears books will certainly enjoy this one !!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 9, 2000
As an eighth grader, I think this is a great book. It may seem a little confusing to a few people, but it's just a great play! Shakespeare's characters are very entertaining. Shylock's a VERY talkative, vengeful Jew while Portia is an intelligent princess who can easily beat Bassanio with her wit! Also, to me, I guess it was obvious to see that the lead chest contained Portia's picture! Right?! The Merchant of Venice has its funny moments as well as its tragic.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 19, 2013
It's gorgeously written, of course, but I didn't much care for any of the major characters and found it a bit tedious. I came upon it as I had to read it for school (which didn't help); but I tremendously prefer King Lear or even The Tempest, which are more complex, less predictable, and more satisfying reads. However, MOV is still worth a read. Also, check out the 2004 movie, which provides better context.
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Posted June 5, 2012
Act I scene ii. I keep getting kicked out from both nook study and my nookcolor around page 23. Don't know if it's a problem with the file or what but I needed this for class and this isn't cutting it. I haven't had a problem with the Midsummer Night's Dream Folger edition though.
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Posted March 1, 2012
I was very confused, the no fear book made much more sense. The only helpful thing was the various criticisms.
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Posted July 16, 2011
This book is impossible to read on my Nook. There are breaks between words with number and symbols.
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Posted May 26, 2011
The stoty is great but there a glithes in the book when i read it
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Posted January 1, 2011
is it good??? omgi rrrreeeeaaaalllllllllllllllllyyyy hope so!!!!!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 10, 2001
This book was wonderful once you get into it. The characters come alive, and you feel as though, the character are people in your life. There where a lot unanswered questions but at the end the fill out the emptyness.
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Posted April 23, 2009
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Posted June 23, 2010
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Posted October 27, 2008
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Posted June 10, 2009
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Posted December 16, 2010
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Posted August 15, 2011
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Posted June 10, 2011
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Posted March 28, 2010
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Posted December 23, 2009
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Overview
Under the editorial supervision of Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen, two of today’s most accomplished Shakespearean scholars, this Modern Library series incorporates definitive texts and authoritative notes from William Shakespeare: Complete Works. Each play includes an Introduction as well as an...