This CliffsNotes study guide on William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice supplements the original literary work, giving you background information about the author, an introduction to the work, and critical commentaries, all for you to use as an educational tool that will allow you to better understand the work. This study guide was written with the assumption that you have read The Merchant of Venice. Reading a literary work doesn't mean that you immediately grasp the major themes and devices used by the author; this study guide will help supplement you reading to be sure you get all you can from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. CliffsNotes Review tests your comprehension of the original text and reinforces learning with questions and answers, practice projects, and more. For further information on William Shakespeare and The Merchant of Venice, check out the CliffsNotes Resource Center at www.cliffsnotes.com.