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bookwormmoo's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t know how to rate Shakespeare but this one can have four stars. The anti semitism is a little crazy - very much a caricature of English perception of Jews at the time. Obviously that’s no excuse for making the only Jewish character the villain (and his daughter steal all his money and convert to Catholicism) but it definitely explains Shylock.
Also LOVED the homoeroticism between Antonio and Bassanio (really just Antonio pining but still) - I don’t understand how I didn’t notice it when we read it in 9th grade but it was iconic.
Also LOVED the homoeroticism between Antonio and Bassanio (really just Antonio pining but still) - I don’t understand how I didn’t notice it when we read it in 9th grade but it was iconic.
joycet's review against another edition
4.0
Ah this is another of those we read in school that I appreciated but have never loved.
heartless_sigyn's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to an audiobook of Taming of the Shrew from this collection last month, and it was pretty good, so I decided to give this one a try. So, I'm driving in my car, listening to this and thinking about how awesome Portia and Nerissa are when this ridiculously over-exaggerated Scots accent comes over my speakers. I'm surprised I didn't get in an accident because I was squeeing so hard. I had no idea that David Tennant had done any of these Arkangel Shakespeare audiobooks! And the fact that I stumbled on this series and just happened to pick one he was in as the second one I listened to was just too awesome. So, yeah, this is my new favorite Shakespeare play because DT is boss and totally stole the entire show. And PORTIA is my new-favorite Shakespeare heroine!
rokkugoh's review against another edition
I read this in high school as part of required reading. I'm not sure if I read it correctly, but I was definitely pro-Shylock and viewed him as an anti-hero rather than a villain.
mirabellee_'s review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Antisemitism
maloryjkennedy10's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun play! I enjoyed it more as it went on. And laughed out loud a couple times. Read this with my 10 year old and she gave it 4.5 stars!
lararose672's review against another edition
4.0
I LURVVVV PORTIA #feministqueen but also she’s antisemitic so not a fan of that 🥲
lizzie__b's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
"All that glitters is not gold."
This was such a fun play. It was really fast-paced, and the characters were lovely.
Portia is such a Queen!!!
Though there are some things that could've been better:
1) Antonio should've given that piece of flesh😤 it is the virtuous oath, the pinky promise he should've kept. I wanted to see that gore.
2) Shylock was right.
3) Gay people! accept your truth and be together. (Portia/Nerissa and Antonio/Bassanio)
4) Lorenzo and Jessica are the best couple in the play. Their banter is amazing! #couplegoals
5) I hoped for a plot twist at the end: Portia actually tricked all her lovers with "the ring agreement," took their money, and divorced them afterward when they lost the ring. That would have been such a banger!
This was such a fun play. It was really fast-paced, and the characters were lovely.
Portia is such a Queen!!!
Though there are some things that could've been better:
1) Antonio should've given that piece of flesh😤 it is the virtuous oath, the pinky promise he should've kept. I wanted to see that gore.
2) Shylock was right.
3) Gay people! accept your truth and be together. (Portia/Nerissa and Antonio/Bassanio)
4) Lorenzo and Jessica are the best couple in the play. Their banter is amazing! #couplegoals
5) I hoped for a plot twist at the end: Portia actually tricked all her lovers with "the ring agreement," took their money, and divorced them afterward when they lost the ring. That would have been such a banger!
krquigs's review against another edition
4.0
Well then. I didn’t know much about the Merchant of Venice when I picked it up, and I’m glad I didn’t. I was able to come into it with a fresh head and mind. I learned a lot about Elizabethan London, and how Shakespeare reflected the views of that time in how he depicted certain religious groups and people of other complexions.
Reading the essay in the back was really fascinating, and provided a unique comparison. I had no idea some of the things that it mentioned were accurate to the world Shakespeare grew up in.
Reading the essay in the back was really fascinating, and provided a unique comparison. I had no idea some of the things that it mentioned were accurate to the world Shakespeare grew up in.
izzy26's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0