The Signet Classics edition of William Shakespeare's black comedy. A complex play that combines pathos and humor, The Merchant of Venice also introduces one of Shakespeare's most memorable villains, the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who famously demands a “pound of flesh” for what he is owed. This revised Signet Classics edition includes unique features such as: • An overview of Shakespeare's life, world, and theater • A special introduction to the play by the editor, Kenneth Myrick • Notes on the sources of The Merchant of Venice • Dramatic criticism from Nicholas Rowe, William Hazlitt, Elmer Edgar Stoll, and others • A comprehensive stage and screen history of notable actors, directors, and productions • Text, notes, and commentaries printed in the clearest, most readable text • And more...