THIS TEACHING GUIDE ON "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE" WAS PREPARED FOR USE IN A NINTH-GRADE LITERATURE CURRICULUM. THE PURPOSE OF THE GUIDE WAS TO ILLUMINATE THE PLAY AS A WHOLE, AND TO SUGGEST TO THE TEACHER SOME USEFUL PRINCIPLES FOR FRAMING QUESTIONS AND GUIDING DISCUSSIONS IN THE CLASSROOM. THE GUIDE WAS NOT TO BE USED, HOWEVER, AS A BASE FOR PREPARING A LECTURE OR A SERIES OF LECTURES. TEACHERS WERE EXPECTED TO USE THE GUIDE TO FACILITATE INTELLIGENT READING AND INTERPRETATION AND TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN THE PLAY AND ITS CONTENT. THE CORRESPONDING STUDENT GUIDE IS ED 010 815. RELATED REPORTS ARE ED 010 129 THROUGH ED 010 160 AND ED 010 803 THROUGH ED 010 832. (JH)