In this new edition of Shakespeare's most controversial comedy The Merchant of Venice, the merchant Antonio - on behalf of his friend Bassano - seeks a loan from Shylock.

The loan is required to impress an heiress. Shylock is a Jewish moneylender whom Antonio has always treated with the utmost contempt, and Antonio is to honour the debt with a pound of the merchant's own flesh.

When Antonio defaults on the loan, Shylock prepares to take his gruesome revenge - only to find that the law is a knife that can cut two ways.

The play explores prejudice, tolerance and the true nature of justice.

This new edition includes the complete text with explanatory notes and a full introduction that describes the setting, summarises the plot and profiles the main characters.

It discusses Shakespeare's language and the play's themes.

It gives typical essay and test questions to help students prepare for exams.