In the play 'The Merchant of Venice,' the reader is inclined to feel a certain degree of hostility towards Shylock the Jew (a money lending merchant). The reason that resentment is built against Shylock has a lot to do with the fact that he acts selfishly and cruelly towards the merchant named Antonio. The play leaves its audience questioning their own morals and wondering how they would have reacted in the same situation.
             Shylock is not portrayed as a very pleasant character. Although he hates Antonio, he still agrees to lend Bassinio the requested amount of money, in the hope that Antonio (who has put his property up as a deposit for Bassinio) will default on the loan. His terms were that if Antonio failed to pay the money owed, one pound of flesh must be cut from his chest. In fact, Shylock rejoices, along with another Jew named Tubal, the fact that Antonio will most likely fail to pay the money. Here, the audiences feel disgusted by Shylocks bloodthirsty approach, and they immediately take sides with everyone but him.
             Another aspect that dismays the audience from taking Shylock's side is that he treats his daughter Jessica very contemptuously, forbidding her to take part in the Christian activities that she longs to. Nevertheless, Jessica plans to escape with her Christian lover Lorenzo, and they elope together, leaving Shylock furious, and feeling betrayed. It is possible that these new circumstances may cause him to act more brutally toward Antonio, who fails to pay the debt in time. Shylock takes him to court and demands that he upholds the terms, therefore, basically sentencing him to death. The court then points out that Shylock only requested that a pound of flesh be taken, with no mention whatsoever of any blood, and as this is not possible, Shylock is forced to be satisfied with a high payment. The audience now feels very angry with Shylock because he is obviously no
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