Book review

Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice masterfully blends comedy with tragedy. At its heart, Shylock demands a pound of flesh—a chilling metaphor for justice twisted by revenge. Portia’s courtroom brilliance saves Antonio, but the play’s anti-Semitic overtones trouble modern audiences. Is Shylock villain or victim? Shakespeare leaves us uneasy, questioning mercy, prejudice, and the price of bonds. A richly ambiguous work.