3.5

3.5/5

The antisemitism was just not it for this one. I did like the three chests storyline and semi-happy ending but Shylock was treated so badly!!! Bonus points because Antonio and Bassanio were definitely gay.

No rating because of the obviously hideous antisemitism deeply inseparable from the plot.

+1 point for fairy tale elements
-4 points for being boring and antisemitism

This was my first time reading this play and not my favorite Shakespeare. I felt like not much happened and I disliked most of the characters. However, I think that might have been the point because a lot of motifs were spread throughout the play that encouraged the audience to critique the characters.

As I get started on reading all Shakespeare, starting with the merchant of Venice was interesting in that it’s a tragic sort of comedy. Listening to the BBC Shakespeare Session adaptation alongside my reading, it’s chilling to see this as a story of forced conversion and for that conversion to read as a tragedy today. At the same time, a lot of great romcom style moments! But I can’t give it five stars because it’s deeply anti Semitic.

Character I’d want to play? Portia! If not her?Bassanio, because then I get to be with Portia

portia and nerissa channeling their inner elle woods and feminism stay winning

except for when portia was grossly racist against my poor dear prince of morocco

I hate Italians

One of Shakespeare's crappier and more problematic plays. Don't read if you don't have to.