{"product_id":"the-merchant-of-venice-third-series-the-arden-shakespeare-third-series-16","title":"The Merchant of Venice (The Arden Shakespeare Third Series)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Merchant of Venice is perhaps most associated not with its titular hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The play was described as a comedy in the First Folio but its modern audiences find it more problematic to categorise. The vilification of Shylock 'the Jew' can be very uncomfortable for a post-holocaust audience and debates continue as to whether Shakespeare's portrayal of this complex man is sympathetic or anti-semitic.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Drakakis' comprehensive introduction traces the stage history of the figure of the Jew and looks boldly at twenty-first century issues surrounding it. He also explores other themes of the play such as father\/daughter relations, the power of money and the forceful character of Portia, to offer readers an energetic, original and revelatory reading of this challenging play.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fourth Wall Bookshop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57995723800911,"sku":"9781903436813","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1006\/6028\/1679\/files\/9781903436813.jpg?v=1781955856","url":"https:\/\/fourthwallbookshop.co.uk\/products\/the-merchant-of-venice-third-series-the-arden-shakespeare-third-series-16","provider":"Fourth Wall Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}