The purpose of this edition is to help the student to read Shakespeare's play with as much as easy as possible, and to understand it. With this purpose in mind, the notes concentrate on the actual language of the play, translating difficult passages into present-day English, explaining the numerous classical and biblical references, drawing the reader's attention to Shakespeare's imagery, and explaining difficult or archaic words. (It is assumed, however, that the reader already is -- or soon will be while reading the play -- familiar with such well-known forms as the archaic second person singular, 'thou', 'thee', 'thy', 'thine', instead of 'you', 'your', 'yours'.)
Throughout, the aim has been to enable students to read the play uninterrupted by lengthy explanations, and so to help them to enjoy the play, and appreciate the beauty of Shakespeare's language as well as his skill in presenting such complex characters as Antonio, the merchant of the title, and his enemy, Shylock.