Although critics tend to agree that Shylock is The Merchant of Venice's most noteworthy figure, no consensus has been reached on whether to read him as a blood thirsty bogeyman, a clownish Jewish stereo type or a tragic figure whose sense of decency has been fractured by the persecution he endures. Certainly, Shylock is the play's antagonist and he is menacing enough to imperil seriously the happiness of Venice's business men and young lovers alike. But the question arrives/comes in to mind/strikes that if he is really a cruel person?
             The normal first reaction to Shylocks character in that he is cruel and evil because of his Un-Christian hatred for Antonio. His drawing up an unbelievable bond on the occasion of lending money to Antonio which is coldly calculated attempts of revenge really holds up his cruelty. Ultimately his pursuit of a strict letter-of-the-law brand of justice, which makes no allowance for anything that even approaches compassion, undoes him. He proves blind to every 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
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