In William Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, a moneylender, is portrayed by some as the antagonist in the story who's nothing but pure evil. Others believe that Shakespeare is trying to create sympathy for him, and prove that he's not a monster. Shylock is not the monster that people portray him as because he does not have a strong relationship with Antonio, and his religion is heavily persecuted among Christians in his community.
Antonio is asking Shylock for money because his friend Bassanio is in debt, and he needs the money so he can visit Portia. Shylock is very hesitant to pay him because he considers Antonio an enemy, because he affects Shylock's business. "How like a fawning publician he looks! 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"(1.3.41-45). Shylock hates Antonio because he does not charge interest when he lends money, as opposed to Shylock who has to charge interest in order for him to make money. Shylock's reason for hatred is completely normal, and there's nothing evil about hating someone who messes up your job, and your way of life. Shylock is commonly referred to as "the jew," by other Christians, something that is commonly thought of as offensive, so Shylock rightfully so has some bias towards Christians because they don't show much respect for him in the first place. After everything that Shylock has gone through, he does not want to be screwed over again by Antonio, which makes perfect sense as to why he would want, "A pound of man's flesh taken from a man," if Antonio fails to pay him back.
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I challenge this post. Shakespear doesnt include Shylock in the book to be an Antagonist, but to have all of us show our empathy for, in one part Antonio and Shylock are argueing because Antonio is asking for money but refuses to stop being mean to Shylock. Shakespear included that just for us.
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