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Shakespeare Stories #27
The Merchant of Venice
Over two million Shakespeare Shorts sold! Discover the world of Shakespeare with this collection of brilliant stories - perfect for readers of all ages.
In Venice, the merchant Antonio borrows money so his friend can woo a beautiful lady. He agrees that if he doesn't repay Shylock the moneylender, Shylock can take a pound of his flesh. When Antonio's ships sink and he loses his fortune, Shylock insists on the gruesome payment...
A dramatic retelling of this classic Shakespeare story.
In Venice, the merchant Antonio borrows money so his friend can woo a beautiful lady. He agrees that if he doesn't repay Shylock the moneylender, Shylock can take a pound of his flesh. When Antonio's ships sink and he loses his fortune, Shylock insists on the gruesome payment...
A dramatic retelling of this classic Shakespeare story.
51 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2009
8 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Matthews
128 books24 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Andrew Matthews was born in South Glamorgan in 1948. Andrew taught English in Hampshire after which he became a full-time writer. He lives in Reading with his wife and their cats. Andrew's work has been widely translated and he has made numerous appearances at schools and libraries throughout the UK.
Source: United Agents.
Andrew Matthews was born in South Glamorgan in 1948. Andrew taught English in Hampshire after which he became a full-time writer. He lives in Reading with his wife and their cats. Andrew's work has been widely translated and he has made numerous appearances at schools and libraries throughout the UK.
Source: United Agents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 12, 2023
Okay this one was cute I really do need to read Shakespeare version
April 12, 2020
حالا که چندتا از کتاب های این سری بازنویسی شده رو خوندم، با خیال راحت میتونم به کودکان دور و اطرافم بدهمشون و بهشون پیشنهاد بدم بخوننشون.
هم اضافه گویی نکرده برای اون سن و سال و هم نکات اصلی رو در متن گنجانده؛ البته باید ذکر کنم که داستانی نوشته شده.
نکته دیگه این سری کتابها نقاشی ها و معرفی اول کتاب است که به فهم بچه ۷-۱۰ سال کمک خوبی میکنه.
هم اضافه گویی نکرده برای اون سن و سال و هم نکات اصلی رو در متن گنجانده؛ البته باید ذکر کنم که داستانی نوشته شده.
نکته دیگه این سری کتابها نقاشی ها و معرفی اول کتاب است که به فهم بچه ۷-۱۰ سال کمک خوبی میکنه.
May 1, 2022
portia THE girlboss of the shakespeareverse
(the christian part at the end was not it tho wtf)
(the christian part at the end was not it tho wtf)
June 7, 2022
Took a quick read of this book to see if it was something that could reach 2nd and3rd graders, and I think it could be understood and entertaining for kids. The original story is much better and in fact, one of my favorites, but much too long for little kids.
September 29, 2020
A nice quick read n reminder of my 10th class days when the play used to be enacted in the class everyday by the chosen characters to deliver their dialogues.
Loved reading it.
Loved reading it.
September 25, 2024
First book in the world by Shakespeare that there are no murdering scenes, really surprised, but a really good story!
October 31, 2013
The Merchant of Venice, a classic by William Shakespeare, and for those that don't know the story it is a tale of Antonio; a Venetian merchant and his friend Bassanio. Bassanio falls in love with Portia; a noblewoman of Belmont, but can only be married to her if he selects the correct casket out of a choice of three: one lead, one silver and one gold. Bassanio needs lots of money to woo Portia so asks his friend Antonio for help. Antonio borrows from the sly and sneaky moneylender Shylock, and agrees that if he does not repay him Shylock can cut off a pound of his flesh closest to his heart. Will Bassanio marry Portia? What happens to Antonio when he loses his fortune and cannot repay the Venetian moneylender?
Retold by Andrew Matthews, this infamous tale is made accessible to primary aged children, through simple language and enthusiastic manner. These stories, of which hold such importance in history and English literature can be experienced and enjoyed early on, in preparation for future study that children will inevitably endure during secondary school. My first encounter with a Shakespeare play wasn't until I was in late key stage three, maybe even key stage four, and by then I had to study the full text in it's traditional language which did not relate, therefore understanding the stories was quite a difficult task. If I had had these 'child-friendly' versions available to me from an earlier age then I would have already grasped the stories and understood them, enjoyed them and looked forward to studying them in greater detail.
To have on a classroom bookshelf would give great opportunities for children to read these stories independently, probably without even realising they were reading a Shakespeare story. They are short and manageable for independent readers and the illustrations help bring the story to life. In upper key stage two, Shakespeare might be briefly looked at in Literacy; these books would become greatly valuable in shared or guided reading sessions. Andrew Matthews has retold sixteen of Shakespeare's most famous works, bringing Shakespeare to the children of Today.
Retold by Andrew Matthews, this infamous tale is made accessible to primary aged children, through simple language and enthusiastic manner. These stories, of which hold such importance in history and English literature can be experienced and enjoyed early on, in preparation for future study that children will inevitably endure during secondary school. My first encounter with a Shakespeare play wasn't until I was in late key stage three, maybe even key stage four, and by then I had to study the full text in it's traditional language which did not relate, therefore understanding the stories was quite a difficult task. If I had had these 'child-friendly' versions available to me from an earlier age then I would have already grasped the stories and understood them, enjoyed them and looked forward to studying them in greater detail.
To have on a classroom bookshelf would give great opportunities for children to read these stories independently, probably without even realising they were reading a Shakespeare story. They are short and manageable for independent readers and the illustrations help bring the story to life. In upper key stage two, Shakespeare might be briefly looked at in Literacy; these books would become greatly valuable in shared or guided reading sessions. Andrew Matthews has retold sixteen of Shakespeare's most famous works, bringing Shakespeare to the children of Today.
February 9, 2018
This i found to be reinvent in today's society given the racism aspects to the storyline and how moneylender was treated badly because of his religious beliefs. The love aspect of this story was great, it showed how the poor man fell in love with the rich woman and it wasn't because of how much money she had it was because he had a deep, real love for her. This is a tale of friendship, love, racism, revenge, justice and it was a great an interesting read.
May 12, 2020
Genre: Play Re-telling/LKS2 Fiction
I am a huge fan of Andrew Matthews' and Tony Ross' Shakespeare Stories, a collection of LKS2-accessible retellings of 16 of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, including tragedies such as MacBeth, Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet, comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream, and histories, such as Richard III. Whilst written for ordinary 'groundlings', the passage of time has rendered Shakespeare's works challenging for 21st Century readers, making his complex yet absorbing storylines, powerful characters, many memorable meaningful quotations and influence on 400 years of subsequent literature and society distant from young readers today. Matthews and Ross however reduce such complexity to 60 pages that bring characters to life, explaining their motives and feelings and even incorporating some of their original timeless phrases: 'if you cut us, do we not bleed?' Shylock is accurately depicted asking on page 21. The story is bookended with some encapsulating quotes from Portia and Shylock, and there are helpful appendices explaining the characters in greater depth, the potential origins of Shakespeare's ideas for the play to begin with, and even a description of what life in the Globe Theatre would have been like. Tony Ross' illustrations, similar in style to Quentin Blake's hugely popular drawings children will be familiar with from Roald Dahl and David Walliams, add further accessibility, including an entertaining row of character portraits at the front. Not only are the Shakespeare series completely appropriate for LKS2 independent reading, I can imagine the huge potential they hold for whole-class work. Children could be inspired to present their own productions, in table groups or maybe as a class to parents, incorporating some of Shakespeare's original iambic pentameter. They could write in role as a key character, create their own character profile and illustration, or even attempt their own sequel or independent play. Children might be keen to share their knowledge at home, or encourage their families to go to a production or even visit tourist attractions such as those at Stratford-on-Avon (as my family did when I was 11)! A class of pupils knowledgeable and enthusiastic for Shakespeare's oeuvre would surely be an achievement of which any teacher would be proud: I hope I get the chance to introduce this wonderful series to pupils in my class in the future.
I am a huge fan of Andrew Matthews' and Tony Ross' Shakespeare Stories, a collection of LKS2-accessible retellings of 16 of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, including tragedies such as MacBeth, Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet, comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream, and histories, such as Richard III. Whilst written for ordinary 'groundlings', the passage of time has rendered Shakespeare's works challenging for 21st Century readers, making his complex yet absorbing storylines, powerful characters, many memorable meaningful quotations and influence on 400 years of subsequent literature and society distant from young readers today. Matthews and Ross however reduce such complexity to 60 pages that bring characters to life, explaining their motives and feelings and even incorporating some of their original timeless phrases: 'if you cut us, do we not bleed?' Shylock is accurately depicted asking on page 21. The story is bookended with some encapsulating quotes from Portia and Shylock, and there are helpful appendices explaining the characters in greater depth, the potential origins of Shakespeare's ideas for the play to begin with, and even a description of what life in the Globe Theatre would have been like. Tony Ross' illustrations, similar in style to Quentin Blake's hugely popular drawings children will be familiar with from Roald Dahl and David Walliams, add further accessibility, including an entertaining row of character portraits at the front. Not only are the Shakespeare series completely appropriate for LKS2 independent reading, I can imagine the huge potential they hold for whole-class work. Children could be inspired to present their own productions, in table groups or maybe as a class to parents, incorporating some of Shakespeare's original iambic pentameter. They could write in role as a key character, create their own character profile and illustration, or even attempt their own sequel or independent play. Children might be keen to share their knowledge at home, or encourage their families to go to a production or even visit tourist attractions such as those at Stratford-on-Avon (as my family did when I was 11)! A class of pupils knowledgeable and enthusiastic for Shakespeare's oeuvre would surely be an achievement of which any teacher would be proud: I hope I get the chance to introduce this wonderful series to pupils in my class in the future.
October 28, 2023
I have the box set of these Shakespeare Stories on my bedroom bookshelf and am slowly making my way through them.
Everyone in the UK expects to read Shakespeare at some time or other. Most people have to study one of the plays while at school. I enjoy these books because they allow you to enjoy the stories and character without having to struggle with the complicated old-fashioned language from the original texts.
Each book retells one of Shakespeare’s tales using simple language and has interesting black and white illustrations by Tony Ross. This makes them great for young readers to enjoy or for older readers who want a quick recap on the plot.
This play has been re-told by Andrew Matthews and is set in Venice, Italy. The main character, Antonio is a merchant who has invested all his money in ships which are at sea. He has a friend, Bassanio who is in love with Portia, the daughter of a wealthy man. When Bassanio asks for a loan, Antonio goes to the moneylender, Shylock. He is lent the money on the condition that if he doesnt repay the loan, Shylock can take a pound of his flesh instead! Unfortunately for Antonio, his sinks sink and he is left penniless so Shylock comes to demand his payment.
This play is often described as a comedy but there is quite a lot of tragedy too. I don’t want to spoil the plot, in case you haven’t seen or read the play yourself, so I won’t reveal the ending.
As with all the other books in the set, there are also helpful extra notes on Shakespeare, the Globe Theatre and the themes of Love, Hate and Mercy as explored in the play.
Everyone in the UK expects to read Shakespeare at some time or other. Most people have to study one of the plays while at school. I enjoy these books because they allow you to enjoy the stories and character without having to struggle with the complicated old-fashioned language from the original texts.
Each book retells one of Shakespeare’s tales using simple language and has interesting black and white illustrations by Tony Ross. This makes them great for young readers to enjoy or for older readers who want a quick recap on the plot.
This play has been re-told by Andrew Matthews and is set in Venice, Italy. The main character, Antonio is a merchant who has invested all his money in ships which are at sea. He has a friend, Bassanio who is in love with Portia, the daughter of a wealthy man. When Bassanio asks for a loan, Antonio goes to the moneylender, Shylock. He is lent the money on the condition that if he doesnt repay the loan, Shylock can take a pound of his flesh instead! Unfortunately for Antonio, his sinks sink and he is left penniless so Shylock comes to demand his payment.
This play is often described as a comedy but there is quite a lot of tragedy too. I don’t want to spoil the plot, in case you haven’t seen or read the play yourself, so I won’t reveal the ending.
As with all the other books in the set, there are also helpful extra notes on Shakespeare, the Globe Theatre and the themes of Love, Hate and Mercy as explored in the play.
June 5, 2021
I've seen others in this series. They're decent for what they are -- introductions to the plots of the plays written for young readers. Highly accessible and breezy. And they include extra info relating to each particular play and to theatre history. These sort of things - following in the tradition of the Lambs - are interesting and can be one way into the works...but they aren't Shakespeare. It can always be encouraged to include more of the text. It's always neat, though, to visit the myriad of things inspired by the works. I was curious as to how they were going to tackle the problem plays (I haven't looked at Shrew yet, and they don't seem to have a M4M). There's something tangibly off and disturbing about the treatment of this particularly tough play (antisemitism aside - and that's a hard aside - Merchant isn't exactly an easy story anyway). It's an oddly cold telling - with flat characters, even though it tries hard to tell you they're more than flat. And Shylock's role as the villain is played up in the way he lurks and sneers through the work -- couple that with the offensive caricature illustrations and you have to wonder where the editorial hands were at? The forced conversion is there (as it should be in a telling of the plot) but without context...it's not talked about in the brief peripheral materials. I don't know...Merchant is an odd choice, I think, for a series focused on young readers and the textual choices made are highly questionable.
July 5, 2017
I think that this book is quite interesting, but not as other stories of William Shakespear, it talks about a merchant named Antonio signing a bill for his good friend named Bassanio for paying back the amount of three thousand ducats after three months, so that his friend Bassanio could woo with his love Portia. Bassanio was first worried of the punishment Shylock gives to Antonio if Antonio cannot return the amount, but Antonio counted on his ships. later, the book revealed a secret that Portia has received money from his dead father a while ago, that is why the suitors of Portia has a challenge of choosing between three caskets made by different materials. Bassanio as the third challenger has succeed, he married Portia. But little that they know, Antonio's ships were all lost and Shylock has thrown him into jail, on the court, a lot of rules were set and said, the problem was solved, Shylock and Antonio became friends again.
I like the story because it is positive and we can learn living attitudes from the moneylender Shylock and the challenges of the caskets from Portia's father.
I like the story because it is positive and we can learn living attitudes from the moneylender Shylock and the challenges of the caskets from Portia's father.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2024
Being one of Shakespeare’s problematic plays with its anti-semitism creates difficulties in summarizing the plot for younger readers. This version skims the play succinctly bypassing deeper issues such as forced conversion. The side plots of Nerissa’s courtship and Shylock’s daughter’s treachery are completely removed leaving the focus on Portia and Bassanio.
As a thumbnail sketch it works as a slim introduction to the full play.
As a thumbnail sketch it works as a slim introduction to the full play.
August 9, 2021
"با تو میخرم ، با تو میفروشم ، با تو راه می روم و هرکار دیگری؛ اما نه با تو میخورم ، نه با تو مینوشم و نه با تو دعا میکنم" شایلاک گفت
.
.
اگر در داستان رام کردن زن سرکش ، داستان زن ستیزانه پیش میرفت
داخل تاجر ونیزی ، رابطه سالمی بین زن و شوهر بود که من از شخصیت مونثش ، پورشیا خوشم اومد
زنی فهمیده و هوشمند که توانایی هرکاری را دارد.
.
.
اگر در داستان رام کردن زن سرکش ، داستان زن ستیزانه پیش میرفت
داخل تاجر ونیزی ، رابطه سالمی بین زن و شوهر بود که من از شخصیت مونثش ، پورشیا خوشم اومد
زنی فهمیده و هوشمند که توانایی هرکاری را دارد.
December 25, 2017
3.5 stars
I want to read more Shakespeare's but didn't know where to start so I bought the kids versions of his works. They are easy to understand and have some nice illustrations to look at, plus the covers are in my opinion so cute.
The Merchant of Venice is an interesting story...
I want to read more Shakespeare's but didn't know where to start so I bought the kids versions of his works. They are easy to understand and have some nice illustrations to look at, plus the covers are in my opinion so cute.
The Merchant of Venice is an interesting story...
January 2, 2019
I could never understand Shakespeare in original form. It's so wonderful how this author takes Shakespeare works and make it easier to understand especially for a 5th or 6th grader. This is one fun story that kids will enjoy reading with drama, conflict and winning.
March 8, 2020
This is my favorite of Shakespeare's writings. The class read it as a group and took turns reading different parts. Ultimately, we helped each other out as we were learning. No teasing happened, etc. Amazingly, everyone was into the storyline. The teacher only stepped in when she had to. :)
May 26, 2019
Easy read which enables children to enjoy Shakespeare.
September 9, 2019
It's ok I guess. Nothing really special to report!
April 4, 2020
Reading a few short stories to bump up my reading goal for this year 😇
November 29, 2020
One of my fave Shakespeare plays!!! I love Portia, she’s one of my fave Shakespeare characters!!!
June 16, 2022
We stan a queen, Portia 🙌
January 3, 2023
Good book read it fast
June 17, 2023
3.85 ⭐
January 9, 2024
I don't understand law but ig this helps
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
Great story and happy for the ending.
December 23, 2024
A classic, The Merchant of Venice shows friendship, ups and lows of entrepreneurship, a peek at old commerce law, romantic love, and how a lady's wit saved the day.
July 12, 2025
در بازخوانی سینمایی تاجر ونیزی که بر اساس نمایشنامهٔ کلاسیک شکسپیر ساخته شده، نکتهای که بیش از همه درخشش میکند، بازی فوقالعاده آل پاچینو است. او در نقش شایلاک، آن یهودی پیچیده و تراژیک، چهرهای ماندگار و چندوجهی خلق میکند که تماشاگر را نه فقط به ترحم، بلکه به تأمل عمیق دربارۀ عدالت، انتقام و سرنوشت انسان وا میدارد.
پاچینو در بازیاش ترکیبی است از خشونت و شکنندگی، نفرت و مظلومیت، که این تناقضها را بهگونهای به تصویر میکشد که شخصیت شایلاک فراتر از کلیشههای سادهانگارانه میرود. نگاههای نافذ و صدای پرطنین او، بهویژه در سکانسهای دادگاه، همچون سمفونیای از رنج و کینه است که همچنان در ذهن مخاطب طنینانداز میشود.
فیلم، در بازسازی فضای ونیز قرون وسطایی، با دقت و وسواس تمام به جزئیات پرداخته و تناقضهای اخلاقی و اجتماعی آن دوران را به شیوهای معاصر بازتاب میدهد. در این میان، بازی آل پاچینو نه صرفاً به عنوان یک اجرای درخشان، بلکه به عنوان محور اصلی که ساختار داستان بر آن استوار است، نقشی تعیینکننده دارد.
سکانسهای کشمکش میان شایلاک و آنتونیو، با دیالوگهای آتشین و بازی دراماتیک بازیگران، تعلیقی نفسگیر ایجاد میکند که تا پایان فیلم ادامه مییابد. پاچینو در این تقابلها، تواناییاش در انتقال عمق روانشناختی شخصیت را به نمایش میگذارد و به همین دلیل است که این اثر یکی از به یادماندنیترین بازآفرینیهای تئاتر شکسپیر در سینما به شمار میرود.
در مجموع، تاجر ونیزی فیلمی است که بدون درخشش بازی آل پاچینو نمیتوانست چنین تاثیرگذار باشد؛ اثری که به مدد بازی او، تصویری پیچیده و انسانی از یکی از بحثبرانگیزترین شخصیتهای ادبیات جهان ارائه میدهد.
پاچینو در بازیاش ترکیبی است از خشونت و شکنندگی، نفرت و مظلومیت، که این تناقضها را بهگونهای به تصویر میکشد که شخصیت شایلاک فراتر از کلیشههای سادهانگارانه میرود. نگاههای نافذ و صدای پرطنین او، بهویژه در سکانسهای دادگاه، همچون سمفونیای از رنج و کینه است که همچنان در ذهن مخاطب طنینانداز میشود.
فیلم، در بازسازی فضای ونیز قرون وسطایی، با دقت و وسواس تمام به جزئیات پرداخته و تناقضهای اخلاقی و اجتماعی آن دوران را به شیوهای معاصر بازتاب میدهد. در این میان، بازی آل پاچینو نه صرفاً به عنوان یک اجرای درخشان، بلکه به عنوان محور اصلی که ساختار داستان بر آن استوار است، نقشی تعیینکننده دارد.
سکانسهای کشمکش میان شایلاک و آنتونیو، با دیالوگهای آتشین و بازی دراماتیک بازیگران، تعلیقی نفسگیر ایجاد میکند که تا پایان فیلم ادامه مییابد. پاچینو در این تقابلها، تواناییاش در انتقال عمق روانشناختی شخصیت را به نمایش میگذارد و به همین دلیل است که این اثر یکی از به یادماندنیترین بازآفرینیهای تئاتر شکسپیر در سینما به شمار میرود.
در مجموع، تاجر ونیزی فیلمی است که بدون درخشش بازی آل پاچینو نمیتوانست چنین تاثیرگذار باشد؛ اثری که به مدد بازی او، تصویری پیچیده و انسانی از یکی از بحثبرانگیزترین شخصیتهای ادبیات جهان ارائه میدهد.
October 3, 2014
This book has a very good presentation for shakespeare plays. i tried to read other versions but it was so hard for me to understand shakespeare language. regarding the story, the merchant of Venice has many good lessons, starting with real friendship, trust, love and loyality ending the play with teaching a really good lesson about forgiveness. I didn't like the part when Antonio asked Shylock to convert to Christianity in order to keep his money... This is not how we deal with our believes, money shouldn't be used this way, to change others' believes..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews