The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare. The play is set in Venice and revolves around the character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Shylock loans money to Antonio, a Christian merchant, and when Antonio is unable to repay the loan, Shylock demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
The play is a commentary on anti-Semitism, and the character of Shylock is often seen as a symbol of Jewish persecution.