De Koopman van Venetië

by William Shakespeare

"De Koopman van Venetië" by William Shakespeare is a play written between 1596 and 1598. When merchant Antonio defaults on a loan to help his friend Bassanio woo the wealthy Portia, the Jewish moneylender Shylock demands a shocking penalty: a pound of Antonio's flesh. Though classified as a comedy, the play is best remembered for its dramatic courtroom scenes and Shylock's famous speeches on humanity and justice, sparking ongoing debate about prejudice and mercy.