Jews and Christians in a Merchant of Venice

... gaining interest were often ruined by Antonio therefore his hunger for revenge grew upon Antonio. The third reason was that Antonio hated the Jews sacred nation, Shylock said: æHe hates our sacred nation, and he railsÆ This passage tells the readers or the audience that Christians hated Jews. These three reasons had caused Shylock to seek revenge on Antonio. AntonioÆs ships did not return which resulted in Antonio having to face the bond, which he had agreed with Shylock. When Shylock learned about the state of AntonioÆs ships, which had not returned he happily declared: "I'm very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll Torture him, I am glad of it." (III, i, 116-17) Shylock now knew that Antonio had lost his capital and would not be able to repay him. Shylock was now looking to have his bond, one pound of AntonioÆs flesh. Shylock was not going to let this opportunity of revenge on Antonio slip, he said: "Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him!" There was no way that Shylock would forgive Antonio for his doings. Shylock made clear that he would only have his bond. In court Portia begged Shylock to forfeit the bond and accept three times the amount of money borrowed by Antonio. Shylock refused, saying: "I'll have by bond; I will not hear thee speak; I'll have my bond, and therefore speak no-more." Jessica, ShylockÆs daughter, ...