Download or read book Time and the Shape of History written by P. J. Corfield and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 2007-01-01 with total page 329 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this lively comedy of love and money in sixteenth-century Venice, Bassanio wants to impress the wealthy heiress Portia, but lacks the necessary funds. He turns to his merchant friend, Antonio, who is forced to borrow from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. When Antonio's business falters, repayment becomes impossible, and by the terms of the loan agreement, Shylock is able to demand a pound of Antonio's flesh. Portia cleverly intervenes, and all ends well (except of course for Shylock).