Shylock, the Roman: Unmasking Shakespeare's the Merchant of Venice Paperback – 1 February 1999

I was very confused after the first time I read and watched The Merchant of Venice. I strongly sympathized with Shylock, but I was unsure whether Shakespeare intended for the Jew to be the hero. Reading some of the mainstream criticism was no help - the critics seemed to be even more clueless than I. But now, after reading Shylock the Roman, I wonder why I had previously been so oblivious to the obvious. Thanks to Robert Schneider's Shylock the Jew, I finally understand the Merchant of Venice.However, I don't agree with every idea in this book - it would be less fun if I did. Now, standing on the firm foundation of understanding that Shylock the Roman has given me, I have the confidence to disagree even with Schneider himself on some points.I highly recommend this book. And after you read it, I would appreciate it if you would email me to discuss and debate the meaning of The Merchant of Venice.- Ray Eston Smith JrMy email is [email protected]. ("thyorison" is derived from Hamlet's "In thy orisions be all my sins remembered.")