The Merchant of Venice

Between 1596 and 1598 William Shakespeare penned The Merchant of Venice following other timeless plays such as Romeo and Juliet and Richard III. While originally classified as a comedy its dramatic scenes are what many remember most especially the speech delivered by Shylock:Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands organsdimensions senses affections passions; fed withthe same food hurt with the same weapons subjectto the same diseases heal'd by the same meanswarm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summeras a Christian is? If you prick us do we not bleed?If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison usdo we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?If we are like you in the rest we will resemble you in that.If a Jew wrong a Christian what is his humility?Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew what should hissufferance be by Christian example? Why revenge.The villainy you teach me I will executeand it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.(Act III Scene I)Delving into issues of racism love tolerance and ethics The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare's most enduring relevant and controversial plays.