This play is well made, and the elements of it are well marshalled. But, of course, to the modern reader the anti-Semitism is repugnant. A man of his time, working in the entertainment business, did what was likely to please, and thus, here it is. There is some lovely poetry. Written in 1598. ( )

This is not my favorite Shakespeare play - at times, its great, but generally, not I found a bit weird, even when accounting for when the play was written in the late 1500's.

I think my biggest issue is how Shylock is treated - Shakepeare gives him this great monologue about how he is human and worth respect, but than at the end, Shylock is forced to convert to Christianity. So, why give Shylock this great speech. As for the rest of the story, its a fairly standard Shakespeare - Cross Dressing, Money problems, innocent maids needing to be saved, etc etc. ( )

This is probably my favorite Shakespeare play. It is light and humorous and features a two strong female characters. The storyline is interesting and lively, drawing the reader in with elopement, courting, risky business ventures, and family disputes. Very enjoyable overall. ( )

Siempre es un placer leer a Shakespeare, pero para mí lo más interesante de las relecturas es fijarme en las diferencias culturales de diferentes épocas. No es que Antonio fuera antisemita; es que su actitud refleja la mentalidad común de ese momento en aquel lugar. Es más probable que el autor deformara a Shylock pasándolo por el tamiz de los estereotipos que sabía iban a tener éxito entre su audiencia, que no que diseñara un personaje antisemita como héroe de la acción.

También el retrato de Portia como moderno héroe femenino (como por otra parte tantos de sus personajes de este sexo) nos invita a reflexionar sobre el imaginado ‘retraso’ en apreciación feminista que en la memoria colectiva existe de esta época. ( )

This is one of Shakespeare's darkest most complex plays. Ladies must read this since Portia actually speaks throughout and isn't silenced through marriage vows. ( )