"The Merchant of Venice" is a play by the English playwright William Shakespeare, written by him in the second half of the 16th century. This tragicomedy tells the story of the love between the merchant Antonio and Julia, the daughter of a powerful Venetian senator. However, the main theme of the work is the debt agreement concluded by Antonio with the cruel Jewish moneylender Shyloch. The very heart of the merchant is chosen as collateral for the loan - this situation leads to several clashes and dramatic events. The play raises difficult questions about religion, friendship and hatred. "The Merchant of Venice" remains one of the most popular and discussed works of the Shakespearean canon, impressively mysterious and fascinating to anyone who decides to explore the world of Shakespeare's depths.