RSC Live: The Merchant of Venice

Venice thrives on trade, embracing all who bring wealth and opportunity. However, harmony shatters when Bassanio breaches a contract with the resentful outsider, Shylock. As tensions rise, the city’s underlying prejudices come to the forefront. Shylock, a father wronged and filled with bitterness, seeks revenge, demanding a pound of flesh as payment for the broken agreement. The delicate balance of commerce and relationships hangs by a thread, leading to a dramatic confrontation that explores themes of mercy, justice, and the complexities of human nature.