Author: Sujaya Venkatesh

ISBN 978-1-62137-030-7 (eBook)

Shylock is victimized by his tricksters in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.” This is the first impression I got on reading the play. If charging exorbitant rates of interests from people is evil, equally grave is the breach of the bond between individuals. If avaricious Shylock is justified in getting his due at the end of the play, how is arrogant Antonio justified in his walk-free release? Of course, Shakespeare is not judgmental but then leaves it to the readers. Also, the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio does not seem healthy. Does Antonio need to borrow money from his worst enemy for his reckless friend’s courtship? Moreover, the melancholic mood that is set in the expository scene does not correspond to the jubilation in the final event of the play.

The XY Factor is a humble attempt at rectifying these shortcomings in the play. The expository scene is set in a sanguine note. Eksman uses more of his head than his heart while dealing with his friend, Frend. With lucky Eksman settling the due at the stipulated time, the greedy Wyman gets punished for his cruel-craving of the former’s tongue. “The Universal Law” stands tall, firm and unshaken.

Sujaya Venkatesh

The XY Factor

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