The life of Antonio, the merchant of Venice, is threatened by Shylock the moneylender, when Antonio cannot repay his debt. But Antonio is brilliantly defended in a court of law by Portia, the clever young wife of his dear friend Bassanio. Graphic Classics titles introduce many of the world's literary masterpieces to young readers. Elementary and secondary school teachers will value these books as a way to make great novels and plays accessible to their students—especially to those students who resist reading. Presented in graphic novel format, each title tells an absorbing, fast-paced story dramatized with high-quality color illustrations. After delving into any of these stimulating titles, many boys and girls will feel encouraged to discover the joy of reading the masterworks in their original form. Each Graphic Classics title includes a thumbnail biography of the author, a list of his or her important works, a timeline of historic events that helped inspire the story, general notes, and an index. Graphic Classics titles are available in both paperback and hardcover editions.