The Merchant of Venice

anti-semitic

Prejudice and discrimination against Jewish people

ducat

(n) a Venetian gold coin

Jews

a member of the people and cultural community whose traditional religion is Judaism and who trace their origins through the ancient Hebrew people of Israel to Abraham.

casket

A rigid container that is designed for the encasement of human remains; is usually constructed of wood, metal or like material and ornamented and lined with fabric, and which may or may not be combustible.

bond

A financial security that represents a promise to repay a fixed amount of funds

Forfeiture

the loss or giving up of something as a penalty for wrongdoing

merchant

a person who buys and sells goods

elope

run away to be married

Venice, Italy

City that controlled important trade routes to the East. Canals serve as its "streets".

duke

high-ranking nobleman

Shylock

a relentless creditor; demanding one's pound of flesh

Pound of Flesh

insistence on being repaid

Antonio

The Merchant of Venice

Rialto Bridge

landmark bridge in Venice, Italy with merchant shops below it

Belmont

Where Portia resides. This setting is a foil to Venice.

mercy

compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

Christian

a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination

Usury

the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest.

William Shakespeare

Author of The Merchant of Venice

Genre of The Merchant of Venice

comedy