With The Merchant of Venice, it's very easy to lose sight of what's important. The conflict between Antonio and Shylock is so visceral, so primal, it can easily overshadow the rest of the play. The play is sometimes so dark, the clowns and fools are not allowed their due. Often, some of the 'objectionable' lines are altered or cut. The most common, and unforgivable sin though, is to lose track of the fact that this is Portia's story. This is the story of a young noble woman in love with a man she cannot marry. First her father through his will, then Antonio with his summons of Bassanio to Venice, and finally Bassanio's betrayal thwart her goal of wedding, and bedding, the man of her choice.
Hers is the true Herculean struggle of the entire drama.