The merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare

The Macmillan Shakespeare is designed essentially for schools. The text has been newly prepared and edited by leading scholars, who at all stages have borne in mind the requirements of secondary school students.

In the introduction to each play special attention has been given to the play's structure and to the variety of interpretations, and the editor has treated matters such as character and imagery in their contexts and not as isolated topics. Above all, the Macmillan Shakespeare places strong emphasis on each play as theatre and as something to be enjoyed.

For easy reference, notes appear opposite the text. Comments have been kept as brief as possible, but extended paraphrase is provided where required. Essential background information is supplied without unnecessary elaboration.

Care has been taken to achieve a modern, clear, and uncluttered page layout.