Antonio is a merchant who buys goods from Venice and then ships them to other cities and countries where he then sells them to make a profit.
On the other hand, Shylock practises money-lending and his hated for his greed and also because he is a Jew. Shylock hates Antonio because “he is a Christian” and also because he “lends out money gratis” which brings down the rate of usance (money-lending) in Venice.
In the past, Antonio has abused Shylock and insulted him with names such as; “misbeliever” and “cut-throat dog”, as well as spitting on him which shows the extent of Antonio’s hatred towards Shylock. We feel sorry for Shylock because we believe that nobody should be treated in such a spiteful way.
When Shylock recalls the way Antonio has mistreated him in the past, Antonio in a superior way, replies:
“I am as like to call thee so again,”
From this you can understand that Antonio is willing and not afraid to call Shylock those names again.
Jessica (Shylock’s daughter) gives away Shylock’s ring – which meant so much to him - for a monkey. When Shylock finds out that Jessica has given away his precious ring for a monkey, he says he would not even have traded it for “a wilderness of monkeys”. This unveils a more sensitive side to Shylock.
She also runs a way with a Christian, Lorenzo, as well as betraying her father after he trusted her with his possessions by spending his money recklessly. She spends “four score ducats” in one night.
The actions are unfair to Shylock because they are spiteful and hateful. Firstly, the ring was given to Shylock by his presumably late wife Leah. Secondly, Shylock is a steadfast Jew and wouldn’t want his daughter running away with a Christian. Finally, Shylock trusts his daughter with his possessions but she betrays him and spends his money recklessly.
The readers are likely to feel sorry for Shylock because he is unaware of the fact that his daughter is going to run away with his wealth and betray him. The audience, however, know what is going to happen which creates dramatic irony.
In the courtroom, Gratiano is disrespectful and aggressive. He insults Shylock with abusive names such as “inexecrable dog” in an angry tone. This reveals to us the fact that Shylock is a target for all Christian and anti-Semitists and is victimised in the play. This contributes to the theme of hatred as a cyclical phenomenon as all the Christian characters in the play direct hate towards Shylock and vice-versa.
The duke greets Antonio and expresses pity for him, calling Shylock an inhuman monster who can neither show mercy nor pity.
“Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.”
The duke, in the courtroom, addresses Shylock as “Jew”. This exposes to us that the Jews were prejudiced by the Christians.
Shylock is about to cut into Antonio when Portia reminds him that the bond allows him to take a pound of flesh only, whilst jotting no blood.
“This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.”
Shylock is denied justice because he deserves the pound of flesh but cannot take it due to a technicality within the bond. A courtroom full of Christians would be pleased with this judgement because they hated Jews very much, in particular Shylock. They will also be relieved as Antonio, a Christian is rescued.
When Shylock realises that he cannot even take the three thousand ducats owed by Antonio, he asks to be freed, but Portia stops him. She reminds him of the penalty he faces for threatening to take the life of a Venetian. He is told that half of his wealth must go to the state, while the other half goes to Antonio.
“For half thy wealth, it is Antonio’s.
The other half comes to the general state,”
Antonio agrees to return his share of Shylock’s wealth, but only if he becomes a Christian and leaves all his wealth to Jessica and Lorenzo when he dies.
Shylock is victimised and his rights are violated as he is forced to change his religion become a Christian. The courtroom would be happy with Antonio’s suggestion as it would result in Shylock abandoning his religion to become a Christian. This contributes to the theme of hatred as a cyclical as it shows that Christians were happy to see Shylock (a Jew) victimised.
Despite all this ill-treatment, Shylock also has an evil side which also makes him a villain. He also contributes to the theme of hate.
Shylock hates Antonio so much that he refuses to forgive him.
“Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him!”
Moreover, he hates him for he is a Christian. From Shylock’s attitude you can tell that he hates Christians, especially Antonio. This contributes to the theme of hatred as a cyclical phenomenon as it shows the extent of Shylock’s hate towards Antonio.
Shylock compares his money to the loss of his daughter. This suggests that Shylock values self-interests over love.
Furthermore, Antonio is reluctant in signing the bond, however, Shylock tricks him into thinking that it is a joke, when it is not.
Shylock wants the pound of flesh as a form of revenge towards Antonio.
“If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.”
This exposes Shylock’s inhuman and cruel character.
“The villainy you teach I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.”
