Question

Trace the influence of the University Wits in the making of Shakespeare's play
The Merchant of Venice .

Answer 1

Answer:

The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. It is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599.

The Merchant of Venice

Title page of the first quarto for the Merchant of Venice (1600)

Title page of the first quarto (1600)

Written by

William Shakespeare

Characters

Antonio

Shylock

Portia

Bassanio

Jessica

Date premiered

Spring of 1605

Place premiered

Court of King James

Original language

English

Series

First Folio

Subject

Debt

Genre

Shakespearean comedy

Setting

Venice, 16th century

Although classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and it is best known for Shylock and his famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech on humanity. Also notable is Portia's speech about "the quality of mercy".