The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare It is a romantic comedy which follows the story of a group of Venetian merchants and their interactions with a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. The merchants must borrow money from Shylock in order to secure their business deals and appear before the courts of justice. In the process, prejudice and themes of justice, mercy, and forgiveness emerge as the characters strive for personal gain.
Essay Topic Ideas:
1. The Role of Injustice and Prejudice in The Merchant of Venice: This essay could explore how prejudice and injustice are used throughout the play and how the characters respond to this. How do the characters reconcile their differences, or do they always agree to disagree?
2. The Relevance of The Merchant of Venice in Modern Times: This essay could discuss how the themes and issues discussed in The Merchant of Venice are still applicable in modern society.
3. The Nature of Justice in The Merchant of Venice: This essay could explore how justice is portrayed in the play. How do the characters view justice and how is justice served?
4. The Nature of Mercy in The Merchant of Venice: This essay could examine the concept of mercy in the play. How is mercy used and to what end is it employed?
5. The Nature of Forgiveness in The Merchant of Venice: This essay could compare and contrast the different forms of forgiveness in the play. How do the characters forgive and why do they choose to do so?