This edition of the classic text is rendered in superbly readable form and properly ascribed to its true author, Edward de Vere. Having staged numerous plays at the court of Queen Elizabeth I in his youth, Edward de Verewent on to write, from the sanctum of anonymity, the plays and sonnets that have heretofore been ascribed to the Elizabethan actor and merchant, William Shakespeare. This rendering of The Merchant of Venice is presented in recognition of his authorship. A brief biography and carefully selected bibliography at the end of the play offers the reader an opportunity to investigate and confirm this fact of authorship for themselves.