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The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare's comedies. Bassanio, a penniless Venetian noble asks his friend to borrow money to impress a heiress named Portia.

Two families of Verona, the Montagues and the Capulets, have been feuding with each other for years.

Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, uses his skill at controlling natural forces to cause the shipwreck of his old opponents, forcing them to seek refuge on the island where he and his daughter Miranda have been living in exile, and setting the stage for Miranda to fall in love with Ferdinand, the prince of Naples.

Presents William Shakespeare's play in which a man, swayed by his jealous friend's deceptions, tragically doubts his wife's faithfulness; and includes an introduction, text glosses, the "Willow" song, background on Shakespeare and his world, a list of further resources, and tools and suggestions for exploring the play in the classroom.

A scholarly edition of William Shakespeare's play "King Lear" that includes detailed notes and commentary, an illustrated introduction to the play's historical, cultural, and performance contexts, an in-depth survey of critical approaches to the play, and a bibliography of references and further reading.