The Merchant of Venice

THE DUBUQUE SHAKESPEARE PROJECT
at the Carnegie Stout Library, Dubuque, IA
Fall 2025
REINVENTING COMEDY

The Merchant of Venice

In William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the wealthy but depressed merchant Antonio defaults on a loan from the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who demands a literal pound of Antonio’s flesh as payment due to past mistreatment. Antonio’s friend Bassanio must go to Belmont to court the rich heiress Portia, whose hand in marriage is won by Bassanio by passing a difficult test of choosing one of three caskets. When Antonio defaults on the loan and Shylock insists on the grim penalty, Portia, disguised as a male lawyer, arrives in Venice and outmaneuvers Shylock in court, saving Antonio’s life and causing Shylock’s ruin.

Folger Text Link:
https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/the-merchant-of-venice/

Kanopy Film link: https://www.kanopy.com/en/dubuque/video/931094

Oct 12th, 2025 2 PM

Carnegie-Stout Public Library 360 W 11th Street, Dubuque, IA