'The Merchant ofVenice' is an acknowledged masterpiece created by William Shakespeare at the end of XVI century. The author himself claims the play to be a comedy, but it has a strong tragedy plot line in it, what makes the story even more interesting and versatile. Shakespeare dwells upon human greed and merciless, vengefulness and rancor, but also depicts the power of love, friendship, and loyalty. The play is set in Venice. A merchant lends money from a notorious moneylender Sheylock, to help his friend to marry a girl from a rich family. The moneylender has a grudge against the merchant, and so set a terrible condition for the loan; if it is not returned timely, the merchant will have to cut off a pound of meat grow his own body. Unfortunately, the merchant loses all his money and faces the prospect of paying his bloody debt. Will he be able to overcome the cruel law and save himself? Will his friend help him, as the merchant helped him to marry his love? Is the moneylender really so outstandingly evil? Listen online to 'The Merchant of Venice' to get answers to all these questions.
