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The play, which W. Shakespeare wrote at the end of the 16th century, is classified among his romantic comedies. However, only one storyline corresponds to this, the almost fairy-tale story of Bassanio's courtship. The second basic plot is the story of the Jewish usurer Shylock, which contains the germ of the English tragedy of revenge. What does Antonio, the Venetian merchant after whom the play is named, have to do with these stories? Who will save him in court, where a pound of flesh from his body is at stake? This and much more will be revealed to us by professor of English Martin Hilský, a top translator and our leading Shakespearean scholar. Lectured by prof. PhDr. Martin Hilský, CSc. Recording of the lecture delivered on 26/09/2022 in the Great Hall of the Central Library. The lecture is organized by the British Council in cooperation with the Municipal Library in Prague as part of the cycle Shakespeare and his time.