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ephalent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
ggallinot's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Oh boy. This play is a bit problematic in its rampant antisemitism. The play definitely highlights predatory lending practices and honestly, Shylock has some of the most meaningful, powerful monologues about equity and humanity. This play seems like the original “we’ve made the *villain* too relatable so he has to do something unreasonably cruel to assure the audience doesn’t side with him. I rate it as high as I do because, when read, it is a starkly powerful piece of education relative to Europe’s treatment of those who practice the Jewish faith. I am surprised at how often this show is still done today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
luciuh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
It was very anti-semetic, i didn’t mind it writing wise tbh, it wasn’t like a bad play just not very my taste…. i think i’d rather read another shakespeare play. shylock is a very interesting character especially given the context in which he was written… also bassanio and antonio are definitely like. they r gay. at LEAST a little queer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Sexism
lovefromhannah's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the merchant of venice is supposed to be a comedy, however shakespeare's portrayal of shylock makes this seem more like a tragedy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
evilchocho's review
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
This wasn’t very good. Anything that was good in this play was unfortunately undercut by the massive doses of antisemitism which was pretty grim.
I guess
God why was this so antisemitic. It sucks because good things like the powerful position of women in the text were totally undermined by the fact that they came into for instance, the trial, just to basically Fuck over the Jew. Like dude, leave my guy alone. Cause I get it, he sucks as a person, but that’s only because he’s characterised by horrible racist stereotypes and made to be like an irredeemable piece of trash just because he’s Jewish and god they really love to drive that home every other page.
Irrespective to that shit, it just wasn’t funny and the plot wasn’t good. Like the only bit I found remotely kind of entertaining was the first bit with the clown and his dad but even then that was ruined because of, you guessed it, antisemitism. And you can’t tell me that it’s just harder to distinguish the humour because of how old it is, because not only have I read other Shakespeare and found that funny, but I’m also reading Don Quixote, a text from a similar period, and that shit is hilarious!
Also there were too many characters that I didn’t care about and that didn’t matter at all to the plot.
Oh and what the fuck was the bit about the rings like that was completely pointless.
Now I think about it too, if Antonio’s ships were not lost, then the whole trial never needed to happen, which basically means that the whole idea was just to Fucking decimate Shylock for no reason…
Thanks Shakespeare, not very cash money of you.
I guess
God why was this so antisemitic. It sucks because good things like the powerful position of women in the text were totally undermined by the fact that they came into for instance, the trial, just to basically Fuck over the Jew. Like dude, leave my guy alone. Cause I get it, he sucks as a person, but that’s only because he’s characterised by horrible racist stereotypes and made to be like an irredeemable piece of trash just because he’s Jewish and god they really love to drive that home every other page.
Irrespective to that shit, it just wasn’t funny and the plot wasn’t good. Like the only bit I found remotely kind of entertaining was the first bit with the clown and his dad but even then that was ruined because of, you guessed it, antisemitism. And you can’t tell me that it’s just harder to distinguish the humour because of how old it is, because not only have I read other Shakespeare and found that funny, but I’m also reading Don Quixote, a text from a similar period, and that shit is hilarious!
Also there were too many characters that I didn’t care about and that didn’t matter at all to the plot.
Oh and what the fuck was the bit about the rings like that was completely pointless.
Now I think about it too, if Antonio’s ships were not lost, then the whole trial never needed to happen, which basically means that the whole idea was just to Fucking decimate Shylock for no reason…
Thanks Shakespeare, not very cash money of you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
raoulalexander's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
enraging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Minor: Racism
marthadude's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This is one of the bard's misses for sure. In class, it offered up wonderful debates about antisemitism, racism, and homosexuality. However, I do think that it does Shylock injustice, and makes him into an antisemetic caricature. Just like any one of Shakespeare's works, it is open to interpretation, but I think that what happens to Shylock in the end proves that the play isn't sympathetic to him. I do like the queer themes though. Besides all that, it has a long and slow second act that really bogs down the momentum of the play. I see why this one isn't preformed too often.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Antisemitism, Bullying, Mental illness, and Racism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
morenowagain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
lexarobinson's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It is problematic as all hell, but in terms of pure literature, it is phenomenal. Portia is one of Shakespeare's best and most complex female characters, Shylock is appropriately tragic, and I am convinced that the two-bros-chilling-in-a-hot-tub directly descends from Antonio and Bassanio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
ayearinbookswithzoe's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is one of the worst plays I’ve ever read. It is essentially purely antisemitism and nothing else. Compared to Shakespeare’s other works it’s very disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Violence, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry