Beloved children's author Sir Michael Morpurgo has refused to include The Merchant of Venice in a new book retelling some of Shakespeare's most successful plays, due to its antisemitic attitudes.
The 77-year-old War Horse author has penned a child-friendly retelling of some of Shakespeare's works, including Romeo and Juliet and King Lear, for youngsters aged between six and 16.
Tales from Shakespeare, which is set to be published next year, will not include a retelling of The Merchant of Venice, however, as the author believe it holds offensive attitudes.
The play's main antagonist is Shylock, a Jewish money lender who is vengeful and demands a pound of flesh as security for a loan. The play ends with him being ordered to convert to Christianity.