Merchant of Venice Blog 1

Does the text paint Shylock to be an antagonist without sympathy or are we made to feel any sympathy for him? Explain your answer using evidence from the text. I think that Shylock is made out to be the antagonist but at the same time Shakespeare makes you feel a lot of sympathy towards him. when you first meet shylock, he is with Bassanio and he seems like a nice man other than the fact that he clearly despises Antonio. Shylock says in his loan contract with Antonio that if Antonio, fails to pay him the money, then he has to give him a pound of his own flesh or in other words his heart. This is what sets the reader to think that Shylock is going to be the antagonist. Shylock: This kindness will i show./ Go with me to a notary, seal me there/ Your single bond; and in a merry sport,/ If you repay me not on such a day,/ In such a place, such sum or sums as are/ Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit/ Be nominated for an equal pound/ Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken/ In what part of your body pleaseth me. That shows that shylock is a strange and somewhat revengeful person. However before Shylock tells us this, he reminds Antonio how badly he is treated. He hates Antonio because not only does he lend money without interest, so people go to him first, but he also spits on Shylock, insults him, and harasses him. Shylock: Signior Antonio, many a time and oft/ in the Rialto you have rated me/ about my moneys and my usances./ .../ You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog,/ And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine.