Rating: 
Summary: A problem play disguised as a comedy
Review: Not in my top tier of Shakespeare plays, but there are some interesting things here.Maybe the real point of this play is the need for forgiveness and mercy. Hurt people hurt people. Shylock seems evil - "the devil incarnate", one of the characters calls him, yet one of the most powerful moments in the play is his "Hath a Jew not eyes?" speech. He is badly, deeply wounded. All of the hate and bitterness and desire for death that he carries is a result of the way he has been slandered, abused, and injured by the people around him. Much of this abuse goes on during the play, though little of it by Antonio. Antonio clearly despises Shylock's way of making money - usury - and it's possible that his harsh words have nothing to do with Shylock's religion, only with his profession. (though historians say it is nearly impossible to separate the two - Jews were usurers and usurers were Jews. There wasn't much else the government allowed them to do.) A forgivness/mercy reading places at the center of the play both Shylock's speech, and Portia's beautiful speech on the quality of mercy at the trial. The decisions by the Duke and Antonio to have mercy upon Shylock when the tables turn. Perhaps, as some critics have said, Antonio's condition that Shylock become a Christian is not an attempt to rob him of his identity, but to make him like the rest of them, and thus welcome him in. Doubtful that it works - it's hard to see Shylock leave, nearly ill at the end, and know that there is really no justice for him. His wounds are real. The romantic comedy element of the play really isn't that great -- especially the ring manipulation at the end. Not only is it tiresome, it's absolutely clunky to have Graziano and Nerissa mirroring their masters. There are some interesting things swirling around the chests. When the right chest turns out to be "Who chooseth me must give and hazard a much all he hath," this seems to reinforce the theme of mercy and forgiveness taking place in the foreground. Though I was disappointed that Bassanio didn't enlighten us as to how this was the truth of marriage, the message is nonetheless there, if subtle.
Rating:
Summary: Far from his best, but still a worthy read
Review: Shakespeare borders on anti-Semitism in this play. In nearly every scene, the Jewish Character is either reminded he is a dog, or that he is evil because of being a Jew and this extends to his daughter; Jessica, whom the stupid clown Lancelot considers to be cursed because of the fact that she is a Jewess. I think the racism in the play spoiled what would have been a funny and enjoyable read. I was trying to convince myself that Shakespeare was not trying to group all Jews together and that Shylock was just a greedy and unfeeling person who just happened to be Jewish. This is all very hard to do looking back from our time at all the atrocities committed against the Jews because of such racist propaganda (even the unknowingly racist). Another thing I have issue with is Portia's testing of her husband to see whether he is faithful, and the fact that she forged a document, plus she impersonated another person , lied about devoting her time to God etc... It lessens her status as a heroine and makes her out to be worse than Shylock in that she employed questionable techniques to free the Merchant of Venice; Antonio. The end never justifies the means. The only real hero in this play, to me was Antonio, although I think Shakespeare made his character to be less realistic with his lack of conflict and complete goodness, a trait that is hard to find in human beings. All these are my opinions and I think you have to read the play itself to determine whether it is racist. On the upside, the story is interesting and full of suspense (for something of its length) and very funny in parts. Check out Portia's description of her suitors for example. All in all, a good play but definitely not his best because of the racism and the lifeless Merchant of Venice.
Rating:
Summary: The Characters
Review: The book "Merchant Of Venice" was a classic that I enjoyed reading. The characters particularly brrought the story to life and a joy to read, the romance, the heartache, the hatred. This was my first Shakespeare play that I have read and I am now about to read Romeo and Julliet.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Potent for a "Comedy"
Review: The New Folger Library delivers again. I will not buy any Shakespeare from any other publisher - Signet Classics or anyone else. Folger has the best version hands down with its useful words and phrases on the left-hand page to help you out if necessary and give you a deeper understanding of the many references to outdated historical religious figures Shakespeare includes in The Merchant of Venice. A "Comedy"? I know technically its a comedy, but nonetheless with the less than comical themes of greed, morality, and anti-semitism, its hardly a laugh riot. Au contraire, it is Shakespeare's tour de force amongst his many enchanting comedies - much more potent and provocative than Midsummer Night's Dream. It's a shame it is banned in many high schools and colleges throughout the U.S. due to its supposed anti-semitism. A must read for any Shakespeare enthusiast. "A pound of flesh is the bond."
Rating:
Summary: Very Potent for a "Comedy"
Review: The New Folger Library delivers again. I will not buy any Shakespeare from any other publisher - Signet Classics or anyone else. Folger has the best version hands down with its useful words and phrases on the left-hand page to help you out if necessary and give you a deeper understanding of the many references to outdated historical religious figures Shakespeare includes in The Merchant of Venice. A "Comedy"? I know technically its a comedy, but nonetheless with the less than comical themes of greed, morality, and anti-semitism, its hardly a laugh riot. Au contraire, it is Shakespeare's tour de force amongst his many enchanting comedies - much more potent and provocative than Midsummer Night's Dream. It's a shame it is banned in many high schools and colleges throughout the U.S. due to its supposed anti-semitism. A must read for any Shakespeare enthusiast. "A pound of flesh is the bond."
Rating: 
Summary: Give me lines!
Review: The play itself is fantastic; my warning is about this version. I bought the Dover Thrift edition for my class because it is inexpensive. But to my chagrin, the edition does not have line numbers. It made it near impossible to use efficiently in class. Just a word of warning.
Rating: 
Summary: a problem play
Review: this is a very difficult play to watch or read. while shakespeare may have intended shylock to be a villain, to a modern sensibility, he is the victim of society's racism. frankly, i had far more sympathy for shylock than for the christian characters. and i'm not jewish. or christian. i found the treatment of shylock appalling, and while i think a "pound of flesh" was too dear a price to pay for forfeiting the bond, i believe antonio deserved to lose his wealth. he - and bassanio and portia and all the rest - are irredeemable bigots, and therefore, thoroughly detestable. mov is a good portrayal of bigotry, but it is an impossible play to like when none of the characters are likeable.
Rating:
Summary: Warm, Witty, Morality Play
Review: 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? ;-) 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 greatest women (and he ennobled women more than any playwright in history). 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. 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 it.
Rating:
Summary: Controversy, theology, ambiguity
Review: This may be the most controversial (to modern culture) play that Shakespeare wrote. It deals with the racial disparities popularly belived in Shakespeare's day to exist between Christians and Jews. Christianity is presented as a tenet of generosity, goodwill, charity, celebration, and joy. Judaism, however, is contrasted starkly as a sort of disease that plagues its followers, causing them to be miserly and humorless. Shakespeare gives us some very direct social commentary that rivals his work in The Tempest. Evidence that Shakes is trying to make a point is the way he plants a typical Jewish merchant with reasonable grievances in a field of blind and clearly absurd (albeit our modern bias of "evolved sensibilities") stereotypes accepted as the norm. The regular helping or irony is served up by an ambiguously glossy denouement, leaving more questions than answers on justice and prejudice.
Rating:
Summary: Ouch!
Review: This play can be read as anti-semitic. In fact, it's pretty hard to defend it from such charges. Shylock is a pretty rotten character and the fact that he is jewish is difficult to overlook (particularly since the other characters mention it on pretty much EVERY page). However, I think it is important to mention that the "heroes" of this play do not necessarily have to be interpreted as heroes. They are by no means perfect and there are many subtle (and some not-so-subtle) instances within the text in which their biases against ANYONE unlike them is illustrated. If one reads the play this way, then Shylock becomes more of a tragic figure rather than an absolutely heartless villain. I don't know. My feelings about this are mixed. There are a few funny parts of this play and the language is, as always, beautiful. The theme of putting a price on human beings is one which has been explored numerous times since. Overall, it is enjoyable, but perhaps not so much so as some of the other comedies. Do not read this play without having read a few others by Shakespeare first. It is an excellent play, but not his best and not his most enjoyable either.
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