The Merchant of Venice. By William Shakespeare. Full Audiobook
"The Merchant of Venice" is a play written by William Shakespeare. The story is set in Venice and Belmont, Italy. The play revolves around the lives of Antonio, a wealthy merchant, and Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Antonio borrows money from Shylock to help his friend Bassanio, who is in love with Portia, a wealthy heiress. Shylock agrees to lend the money but demands a pound of Antonio's flesh as collateral. Antonio agrees to the terms, but when his ships are lost at sea, he is unable to repay the loan. Shylock demands his pound of flesh, and Antonio is brought to trial. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, saves Antonio's life by arguing that Shylock is entitled to the money but not the flesh. In the end, Antonio is saved, and Shylock is forced to convert to Christianity.

The play is a tragicomedy that explores themes of love, friendship, greed, justice, and mercy. It is also a commentary on the treatment of Jews in Elizabethan England. Shylock is portrayed as a villain, but he is also a victim of discrimination and prejudice. The play raises questions about the nature of justice and mercy and the role of the law in society.

The main characters in the play are Antonio, Bassanio, Portia, and Shylock. Antonio is a wealthy merchant who is generous and kind. He is willing to help his friend Bassanio, even if it means borrowing money from Shylock. Bassanio is in love with Portia and needs money to court her. He is willing to risk his friend's life to get the money he needs. Portia is a wealthy heiress who is intelligent and resourceful. She disguises herself as a lawyer to save Antonio's life. Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who is discriminated against by the Christians in Venice. He is portrayed as a villain but is also a victim of prejudice.

The play is divided into five acts. Act I introduces the characters and sets up the plot. Antonio is sad and melancholy, and Bassanio needs money to court Portia. Act II takes place in Belmont, where Portia is introduced. She is unhappy with the terms of her father's will, which requires her to marry the man who chooses the correct casket. Act III takes place in Venice, where Antonio borrows money from Shylock. Act IV takes place in the courtroom, where Antonio is on trial. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, saves Antonio's life. Act V ties up the loose ends of the plot. Antonio is saved, and Shylock is forced to convert to Christianity.

In conclusion, "The Merchant of Venice" is a play that explores themes of love, friendship, greed, justice, and mercy. It is also a commentary on the treatment of Jews in Elizabethan England. The play raises questions about the nature of justice and mercy and the role of the law in society. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging. The play is a tragicomedy that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. .
More: William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, comedy
drama, Bassanio, Portia
Shylock, Antonio, courtroom drama
Judaism, antisemitism, love
marriage, tensions, Christians

00:00:00 Dramatis Personae
00:01:44 ACT 1. Scene 1
00:13:32 Scene 2
00:22:36 Scene 3
00:34:37 ACT 2. Scene 1
00:37:47 Scene 2
00:52:44 Scene 3
00:54:16 Scene 4
00:57:10 Scene 5
01:01:11 Scene 6
01:06:09 Scene 7
01:11:21 Scene 8
01:14:58 Scene 9
01:21:31 ACT 3. Scene 1
01:30:48 Scene 2
01:51:42 Scene 3
01:54:18 Scene 4
01:59:38 Scene 5
02:05:50 ACT 4. Scene 1
02:36:27 Scene 2
02:38:02 ACT 5. Scene 1

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