By Thomas Bowen

The Merchant of Venice - Research

Historians have agreed that Venice’s first population were refugees from Roman cities which surrounded Venice. Roman sources also revealed that there were

fishermen on the islands which were near Venice in the original marshy lagoons.

Venice at one point became a part of the Roman/Byzantine territory.

Famous Venice

During the Elizabethan period Venice gained a reputation for being both grave and glamorous. At the time Venice was known by 3 nicknames, “Venice the

Wise” because of the political wisdom and dedication for peace in Venice, “Venice the just” because the

severe but impartial laws in the city, and “Venice the Rich” because of the spectacular wealth Venice got

thanks to its Geological position.

Elizabethan times

Venice was famous for its wealth, laws, and politics so at the time the rulers of Venice would have been busy with the massive income of money and the issues in

the government at that time. So this would mean that inconspicuous thieves and dealers would profit from this as this meant that the rulers of Venice would be

busy dealing with the money and politics so the thieves and dealers wouldn’t have been caught easily.

Why would Shakespeare choose this as his setting?

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