William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial works for a number of reasons. Written in 16th century England, where anti-Semitism was common and the presence of Jews was not, the work asks many questions regarding racial, religious and human difference. The work is particularly difficult to examine in today's society, as its anti-Semitic themes and language can be uncomfortable to deal with in a post-Holocaust world. Furthermore, the representation of the relationship between Jews and Christians, which has always been ambivalent, adds a very interesting, if difficult, dimension to this work. Ultimately, through a dramatic plot and distinctive characters, The Merchant of Venice explores what it means to be Jewish and what it means to be Christian. A closer analysis of these opposing groups brings to light inconsistencies between what the characters preach and what they practice, as well as their problematic notions of justice, mercy, and love. Although he clearly fills the role of the villain and main antagonist in this play, Shylock's character is extremely complex and multidimensional. It appears to have two sides that can be emphasized or emphasized to create a fundamentally different work, as has been done many times throughout history; post-Holocaust reproductions, for example, are obviously radically different from those that may have occurred before (Rich 1). In most modern adaptations, Shylock is seen as a sympathetic character, perhaps due to the widespread acceptance in most modern societies of those from different religious and racial backgrounds. However, it is quite possible that Shakespeare, who was a brilliant playwright famous for his complex and multi-faceted characters, of the… medium of paper… actually considered this a happy ending for the character of Shylock. (4); by converting he is “saved” from the possibility that “misfortune [could] befall… / … a Jew without faith” (2.4.35-37). This article has barely scratched the surface of the religious and moral complexity that is The Merchant of Venice, but it is clearly a complicated work, and for many reasons: the racially charged tension, the anti-Semitic language, and the morally ambiguous characters. What makes this play so emotional is that it provides neither answers nor excuses, resulting in continued disagreement about what is really happening in this play. Shakespeare's multi-layered characters and complicated depictions of mercy, justice, love, religion and difference produce an extraordinary work that has kept people talking and guessing for centuries, and will surely continue to do so for centuries to come..