The Merchant of Venice is a 16th century play written by William Shakespeare published in 1600. It is one of the most popular tragedies of Shakespeare. The drama circles around the themes of friendship, power, justice, love, and money. The self-interest of the characters and the loyalty they pursue of their friends and master play into the final conflict of the drama and makes it an interesting plot to catch. One very important theme also reflects the concepts of Semitism.