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Merchant of Venice Wikipedia
The Merchant of Venice is a play by Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Classified as a comedy in the First Folio, and while it shares certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies…
- Introduction
- Characters
- Synopsis
- Date and text
- Performance
- Themes
- Adaptations and cultural references
- Notes
- References
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- Biography of William Shakespeare
Bassanio refuses gold because he knows that "all that glisters is not gold." He also refuses silver, calling it "common drudge 'tween man and man," as coins are. He chooses lead because he knows that true worth lies inside, even if the outside doesn't look like much. The lead is more like HIM than like Portia.
"All that glisters is not gold..." says the scroll in the golden casket. What does this mean? I have an idea, but im not sure that it is right. Can you help? Thanks!
I've read some commentary that suggests that Antonio is homosexual. He is in love with Bassanio; this explains his melancholy at the beginning of the play, his willingness to lend him so much money and to give his life to save Bassanio's.
Any reactions?
Any reactions?


