The Cambridge Student Guide to The Merchant of Venice provides explanatory notes and guidance to help form the basis for the understanding of the play. It is part of a new series aimed at students from 16 years upwards in schools and colleges throughout the English-speaking world. Background information provides support and prompts inquiry for advanced level study by drawing out issues and themes related to the text. The content of each book in the series follows the pattern of an introduction; detailed running commentary on the text; insight into historical, social and cultural contexts; analysis of the language; an overview of critical approaches and different interpretations; essay-writing tips and lists of recommended resources.