Do you think Shylock is a cruel person?
...very thing other than the stipulations of his bond, refusing even to summon a doctor to attend to Antonio’s wounds. His cries for a pound of flesh from Antonio have made him one of literature’s most memorable villains. Now, let’s see the other side of the coin. Shylock admits to hate Antonio for being a Christian, but he adds that his hatred really stems from reasons other than religion. Antonio has made a habit of berating Shylock and other Jews for their usury, the practice of loaning money at exorbitant rates of interest. He drives down the interest rates in town by lending money without interest – he knowingly takes away the only livelihood which Shylock is permitted. He has kicked Shylock and has spitted up on him and has called him “cut-throat dog”. Even when he goes to Shylock asking for a loan, he shows no remorse or sympathy for the man he has abused. Antonio rather goes to the point of saying that he would once more spit upon Shylock and kick him as a stray dog. He gives no reason for his hatred beyond the fact that Shylock is not a gentile and he is usurer. Antonio, who along with other Christians, later criticizes Shylock for his hatred, proves hypocrite because any appropriate reason and in doing so gives Shylock reason to return his hatred. He points out to them “If a Jew wrong a Christian what is his humility?” Revenge. If a Christian wrong A Dew, what should his suffer once he Christian example? Why revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, it shall go hard but I will better the instruction”. This is an interesting statement, especially since it immediately follows Shylock’s arrangement that Jews bleed, laugh and die in the same manner as Christians. It is an extension of this argument to say that it is also a common human trait to seek revenge on those who have done one wrong. Bassanio challenges this assertion when they are trying to talk Shylock out of demanding the pound of flesh. Bassanio asks “Do all men kill the things they don’t love?” The implication is that this is the unmerciful thinking of Jew; an accusation...