Character Analysis: Shylock & Portia

Shylock and Portia are the two most important characters in The Merchant of Venice. They are also the most debated. This lesson explores how Shakespeare presents each character, examines key speeches, and provides essential quotations for exam use.

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Shylock: Villain or Victim?

Shylock is the play's most complex and controversial character. He is a Jewish money-lender who demands a pound of Antonio's flesh when the bond is not repaid. But is he a one-dimensional villain — or a sympathetic figure driven to extremity by relentless persecution?

The Case for Shylock as Villain

• He proposes the flesh bond — a horrifying penalty that suggests murderous intent.
• He refuses mercy repeatedly in the trial scene, insisting on the letter of the law.
• He sharpens his knife in court, appearing to relish the prospect of cutting Antonio.
• He values his money and jewels alongside (or even above) his daughter: "My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!"
• He uses the law as a weapon of personal revenge.

The Case for Shylock as Victim