Abstract

The classic and well-known drama "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare in the 16th century continues to attract the interest of young minds today with its rich tapestry of themes and characters. It is a love comedy written by Willian Shakespeare. In this research paper, the themes, ideologies, legal issues, and—most importantly—the contemporary perspective were explored through an analysis of William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice. This article examines a variety of topics, including the well-known courtroom drama, romance, inequity, a small portion of the LGBTQ+ population, the distinctions between Jews and Christians, women's empowerment, and many more topics. This research attempts to comprehend the complex moral and ethical difficulties that drive the story by thoroughly examining major moments and characters such as Shylock, Portia, and Antonio. The play revolves on a number of individuals, one of which is the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who serves as a central figure for examining themes of discrimination and prejudice. This encourages contemplation on age-old problems of acceptance and tolerance by illuminating the cultural attitudes toward "the other" in Shakespearean Venice. In addition, the article explores the ethical and legal aspects of justice, especially as they relate to the well-known trial scenario that Portia ruled over while posing as a legal expert. All things considered, this paper provides a thorough analysis of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice,". Through exploring the intricacies of character relationships and thematic complexities, it aims to highlight how Shakespeare's works continue to influence our comprehension of core human values.

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