Guthrie Theater

To help his friend win the heart of a wealthy heiress, a Venetian merchant borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Amid the blossoming love, romance and comic pursuits of the heart, Shylock's loan goes unpaid. The merchant must suffer the consequences of defaulting on the loan - and therefore pay the penalty: a pound of his own flesh.

Arguably one of William Shakespeare's most controversial plays, The Merchant of Venice introduces characters rich in complexity, humor and, most of all, flaws. On the surface or deep below, human imperfection glares brightly as we learn "all that glisters is not gold."

Run time

Resources

Play Guide created by the Guthrie Theater

Cast page and bios from The Merchant of Venice program

Program created for the 8th Annual Shakespeare Classic

Visit the Folger Shakespeare Library's Shakespeare in American Life website to hear excerpts from a radio documentary, including an interview with Joe Dowling.