The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (Folger Shakespeare Library)

Shakespeare's Most Provocative Play — Justice, Mercy & the Price of a Pound of Flesh

A bond sealed in flesh. A courtroom that will decide life and death. The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare's most complex and endlessly debated works — a play that wrestles with justice, prejudice, love, and mercy in ways that feel startlingly modern.

This Updated Folger Shakespeare Library edition is the definitive text, featuring the latest scholarship and expert annotations that illuminate every layer of this rich, challenging play.

• Updated text edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine
• Detailed notes from the world's leading center for Shakespeare studies
• Insightful introductions exploring themes of law, religion, and identity
• Perfect for students, book clubs, and serious readers of classic drama

Shylock, Portia, Antonio — these are characters who demand your attention and challenge your assumptions. The Merchant of Venice is a play that refuses easy answers, and that's exactly what makes it unforgettable.

📖 Who It's For: Literature students, Shakespeare lovers, law enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to stories that make you think.