The Merchant of Venice (Level: B1)

Showtime Readers is a series of simplified versions of literary classics (including children’s classics), specially adapted with a focus on stage performance, in line with the series’ motto: From the page to the stage!

Students can develop their language skills by reading the text and completing the accompanying language activities and/or by preparing a performance.

Click here to see sample pages!

***The book includes a code that allows you to download an app for interactive use of the book.

Story excerpt:

Antonio is a wealthy and popular merchant in Venice. His friend Bassanio needs money to travel to Belmont, where he hopes he can marry the beautiful Portia. Antonio has no cash, so he goes to Shylock, a moneylender. Shylock will lend the money, but on one condition: if Antonio does not pay him back on time, Shylock can take “a pound of flesh” from Antonio. Will Antonio lose his life so that Bassanio can marry the woman he loves?