The Merchant of Venice

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This Shakespearean comedy has stood the test of time like so many of the Bard's plays due to its highly intriguing dramatic action and a controversial ending that has had Shakespeare scholars debating for hundreds of years. The story follows the merchant Antonio and the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who lends money to the merchant expecting to be paid with "a pound of flesh" should the provisions of the contract not be fulfilled. Although the play is, in essence, a romantic comedy, the themes have evolved over time into something darker and more sinister as Shylock became considered to be a tragic figure, as opposed to a comic one. All in all, The Merchant of Venice remains a staple of the Shakespearean dramatic repertoire, and its intricate nuances will continue to be studied and enjoyed by audiences for generations to come.