Antonio, a Venetianmerchant, wishes to help his friend get money to impress a rich heiress. But he is forced to borrow the sum from a cynicel, abused Jewish moneylender, Shylock, and signs a chilling contract to honour the debt with a pound of his own flesh. An ambiguous, complex and controversial comedy, The Merchant of Venice explores prejudice, marriage, money and the true nature of justice in an unforgiving world.