<DIV><DIV><DIV>The Merchant of Venice is perhaps most associated not with its titular hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The play was described as a comedy in the First Folio but its modern audiences find it more problematic to categorize. The vilification of Shylock &#147;the Jew&#8221; can be very uncomfortable for a modern, post-holocaust audience and debates continue as to whether Shakespeare&#8217;s portrayal of this complex man is sympathetic or anti-Semitic. </DIV><DIV>&#160;</DIV><DIV>John Drakakis&#8217; comprehensive introduction traces the stage history of the figure of the Jew and looks boldly at twenty-first century issues surrounding it. He also explores other themes of the play such as father/daughter relations, the power of money and the forceful character of Portia, to offer readers an energetic, original and revelatory reading of this challenging play.</DIV></DIV></DIV>