... of the issues being raised in the play and would have been less sympathetic towards Shylock than a modern day audience. The play concludes with a harmonious ending but throughout the plot, reoccurring themes of sadness and tragedy are included. This is whyThe Merchant of Venice? falls into one of the more difficult comedy plays. The play is set in Venice, an ancient ... turning point of the play occurs. Constant references to the weight of the flesh provokes images of scales and measuring units and this picture of scales ties in with the reoccurring theme of justice and how it is unfair...

• Word Count: 1866
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School