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Shylock

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Shylock
Shylock Deserves Sympathy and is not to blame for his own downfall. Shylock is a complex character and he has suffered, still suffers and is one of a people who have suffered over centuries. However, to what extent should Shylock suffer and does he deserve our sympathy or hostility. Although anti-Semitism is totally unacceptable today, it was quite normal in Shakespeare's time. Being a Jew in Christian dominated Venice, Shylock is persecuted by society. He is the victim of popular Christian prejudice, restricts his means of employment. He is left with no choice but to be a moneylender and earn his money from collecting interest. To the Christians, collecting interest was against their teaching. This is one of the reasons for the Christians hatred.
Shylock is a victim of the play because he is mistreated. Shylock is being abused by Christians but mostly Antonio. Shylock says, “You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gabardine, and all for use of that which is mine own.” Shylock shows through these lines that Antonio abuses him verbally and physically, as Antonio calls him names and spat on him, all because he lends money with interest. Another example of Shylock's mistreatment is Christians insulting his faith. Lorenzo says that Christianity is the religion that is powerful enough to make anyone go to heaven. Shylock is viewed by Lorenzo as a faithless Jew, he implies that Shylock's Jewish faith is not strong enough to get him to heaven. Therefore, Lorenzo is biased against anyone that is not a Christian, such as Shylock being a Jew. Also, Shylock is humiliated in court. He is looked down on by Christians during the trial.
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