THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Novel. Antonia, a Venetian merchant, takes a loan of Shylock, a Jewish money lender, to help his friend Bassanio to court the wealthy heiress Portia. When he is unable to repay the loan, Shylock demands in all seriousness a "pound of flesh" from the defaulter. Antonio is only saved by the quick-witted Portia disguised as a lawyer.