merchant of venice
“The Merchant of Venice” was written by William Shakespeare almost certainly between 1596 and 1598 and was first performed at The Theater, London, in 1597. ... This is why “The Merchant of Venice” falls into one of the more difficult comedy plays. The play is set in Venice, an ancient civic republic and not a nation ruled by a King or Queen. Venice fascinated the Elizabethans, as it was commercially hospitable to people from all parts of the world e. ... The city was also a trading centre of great importance; Venice itself was a Catholic city and was politically independent. A place of great beauty, luxury and extremely artistic, it is the perfect setting for “The Merchant of Venice”. ... Antonio is a popular character and holds a high position in the social order of Venice. ... He knows that the laws of Venice will supports him if he persecutes the Jews and he cannot resist acting like a bully towards Shylock.