The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Although classified as a comedy in the First Folio, and while it shares certain aspects with Shakespeare&#39;s other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps more remembered for its dramatic scenes, and is best known for the character of Shylock.<br />The title character is the merchant Antonio, not the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who is the play&#39;s most prominent and more famous villain. Though Shylock is a tormented character, he is also a tormentor, so whether he is to be viewed with disdain or sympathy is up to the audience (as influenced by the interpretation of the play&#39;s director and lead actors). As a result, The Merchant of Venice is often classified as one of Shakespeare&#39;s problem plays.