The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice written between 1596 and 1598 is Shakespeare's comedy centred around love, money, prejudice and social injustice. About the play The plot Education Past productions Related websites More Less About the play The plot Education Past productions Related websites When a merchant defaults on a loan from a moneylender, it is more than money that will be demanded from him. Considered one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies, The Merchant of Venice remains a searing exploration of prejudice and the power of mercy. More about the play Dates and sources Famous quotes Key moments Stage History In This Section The plot Discover the story of Shakespeare's comedy about love, money, prejudice and social injustice. Find out more Education Information and resources for teachers and learners on The Merchant of Venice Find out more Past productions See photos and read about our past productions of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice from the early 20th Century to present day Find out more Related websites Websites that reference Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice Find out more Merchandise Buy now You may also like