Merchant of Venice Blog #1

The text paints Shylock to be an antagonist we are meant to feel sympathy for because of his religion. Shylock is Jewish and not allowed to own property and so he must make his money by lending to others with interest. Shylock first shows us the disadvantage of being Jewish when he says, "I hate him for he is a Christian,/But more for that in low simplicity/He lends out money gratis and brings down/The rate of usance here with us in Venice." ( Act 1, scene iii Ln.35-7) Shylock is saying how he despises Antonio because his is a Christian and Christian's do not add interest when lending money which lowers the interest rates in Venice. In doing so Shylock makes less money from interest. We also feel sympathy for Shylock when Antonio degrades him, "You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog,/And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine—/And all for use of that which is mine own." (Act 1 scene iii Ln. 109-111) Shylock is reminding Antonio of the time when he called him a dog and spit on his clothing just because he made a profit off his money. It's so cruel because it's not Shylock's fault that's the only way he can survive because of the law at that time. Then when Antonio has called him a dog and spit on him, we are made not to like Antonio even more because he says, "I am as like to call thee so again,/To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too." (Act 1, scene iii Ln. 128-9) Instead of apologizing to Shylock for what he has done, Antonio just openly admits that if he had the chance he would do it again. Finally, Shylock's penanlty for lending Antonio money is a pound of his flesh, but he says, "Your single bond, and—in a merry sport—" (Act 1 scene iii Ln. 143) instead of making it serious like he seriously wants to kill Antonio Shylock says, "in a merry spot" which means he is just for jokes and he doesn't seriously think Antonio wouldn't be able to pay the money back in time. Shylock is the one meant to be felt sympathy for because of the way people treat him for being Jewish and what he must go through because of it.