Skip to main contentSkip to Xpert Chatbot

HarvardX: Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice: Shylock

4.5 stars
12 ratings

An exploration of the magnetic and ambivalent character of Shylock in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

4 weeks
5–7 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

30,532 already enrolled! After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Nov 26

About this course

Skip About this course

In the first act of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice , the Jewish moneylender Shylock proposes a “merry sport” to the merchant Antonio: he will lend Antonio the money he needs if Antonio agrees to let Shylock take a pound of his flesh should he default. Shylock calls this contract a “merry bond,” and Shakespeare’s First Folio calls the play a comedy. But what does Shylock want from the bond, and how merry does the play ultimately prove?

In this course, Harvard professor Stephen Greenblatt guides learners through an in-depth exploration of the character of Shylock. You'll learn about Jewish history in Europe, how early audiences might have responded to the play, and the history of the play’s production through the twenty-first century.

With short video lectures, readings from the play, and explorations of adaptations, you will develop critical tools with which to unlock the play's possible meanings.

If you're reading The Merchant of Venice for the first time, this course is a great introduction. If you're reading it for the hundredth time, it is the perfect chance to renew your understanding of one of Shakespeare’s most polarizing plays.

At a glance

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • Discover sixteenth-century Venice, the commercial hub whose multicultural landscape gives shape to the play
  • Analyze Shylock, the Jewish merchant: his moral ambivalence, his isolation from and connections to the other characters, and his troubling conversion
  • Situate the play in a long history of artistic representations of Jews in the West, with attention to the problem of anti-Semitism
  • Learn how the play, called a “comedy,” incorporates tragic elements that may prompt audiences to identify with Shylock despite his outsider status
  • Weigh different responses to Shylock over four centuries through the study of artifacts and interviews with authors, actors, and curators

Frequently Asked Questions

Skip Frequently Asked Questions

How is the honor code upheld?
HarvardX requires individuals who enroll in its courses on edX to abide by the terms of the edX honor code. HarvardX will take appropriate corrective action in response to violations of the edX honor code, which may include dismissal from the HarvardX course; revocation of any certificates received for the HarvardX course; or other remedies as circumstances warrant. No refunds will be issued in the case of corrective action for such violations. Enrollees who are taking HarvardX courses as part of another program will also be governed by the academic policies of those programs.

How does my participation contribute to research?
By registering as an online learner in our open online courses, you are also participating in research intended to enhance HarvardX's instructional offerings as well as the quality of learning and related sciences worldwide. In the interest of research, you may be exposed to some variations in the course materials. HarvardX does not use learner data for any purpose beyond the University's stated missions of education and research. For purposes of research, we may share information we collect from online learning activities, including Personally Identifiable Information, with researchers beyond Harvard. However, your Personally Identifiable Information will only be shared as permitted by applicable law, will be limited to what is necessary to perform the research, and will be subject to an agreement to protect the data. We may also share with the public or third parties aggregated information that does not personally identify you. Similarly, any research findings will be reported at the aggregate level and will not expose your personal identity.

Please read the edX Privacy Policy for more information regarding the processing, transmission, and use of data collected through the edX platform.

How are non-discrimination and anti-harassment supported?
Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination, including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.

This course is part of Shakespeare's Life, Work, and Characters XSeries Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
4 high-quality courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
4 months
5 - 7 hours per week

Interested in this course for your business or team?

Train your employees in the most in-demand topics, with edX For Business.