Shylock

Shylock the Jewish moneylender is a convoluted yet intriguing character in the Merchant of Venice. Shylock is portrayed as unfriendly and greedy. Although it is unsaid formally within the text of the play, one can infer that Shylock practices usury (the lending of money at extreme rates of interest). Shylock's hatred for Antonio spawns off of Antonio's generosity. Antonio lends out money to many Venetians for no interest at all,which forces Shylock to decrease his interest rates: "[Antonio] lends out money gratis and brings down/The rate of usance here with us in Venice" (Shakespeare 1.3.40-410). Thus causing Shylock to lose money. Shylock is selfish with his money, piling away all of his ducats. Antonio is more than willing to offer everything he has in order to help a friend. Although Antonio has unquestionable benevolence, he is extremely antisemitic and unkind towards Shylock: "You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog,/And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine/And all for use of that which is mine own" (Shakespeare 1.3.107-109). Shylock's gruesome request of Antonio's flesh for the penalty of defaulting on their loan seems disturbing. Yet Shylock's justification for this vengeful consequence is Antonio's fiery, antisemitic words. As the play continues, the reader begins to feel sorry for Shylock as his daughter runs away (partially due to her father's Jewish heritage) with all his precious ducats and gems. Now Shylock seems to be a poor, bullied Jewish man who is just trying to make a living in Venice. Shylock's hard exterior is a result of his mistreatment by others.