{"product_id":"the-merchant-of-venice-third-series-9781903436813","title":"The Merchant of Venice: Third Series","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Merchant of Venice\u003c\/i\u003e is perhaps most associated not with its titular hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The play was described as a comedy in the First Folio but its modern audiences find it more problematic to categorise. The vilification of Shylock 'the Jew' can be very uncomfortable for a post-holocaust audience and debates continue as to whether Shakespeare's portrayal of this complex man is sympathetic or anti-semitic. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJohn Drakakis' comprehensive introduction traces the stage history of the figure of the Jew and looks boldly at twenty-first century issues surrounding it. He also explores other themes of the play such as father\/daughter relations, the power of money and the forceful character of Portia, to offer readers an energetic, original and revelatory reading of this challenging play.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Drakakis is Professor of English Studies at the University of Stirling, Scotland.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Arden Shakespeare","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50642541838610,"sku":"9781903436813","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c7f0c269-fd2b-4e33-9d6f-41347c157e74.jpg?v=1737259581","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-merchant-of-venice-third-series-9781903436813","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}