In the play The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, the character Shylock is a usurious Jew moneylender. Though Shylock is both a villain and a victim, the strongest evidence suggests that he is a villain. Bassanio, Antonio, Jessica, and Lancelot all see this. In some ways, Shylock is presented as a victim of the anti-Semitic residents of Venice. In Scene 1 of Act III, Shylock is in court demanding that the penalty of his loan …showed first 75 words of 775 total…

…showed last 75 words of 775 total…usurious lender and a vengeful collector. He shows no capacity for compassion. In conclusion, the evidence showing Shylock as a villain is more compelling than the case for him being a victim. Although he is discriminated against, he is no better than those who persecute him. Wanting to kill someone in cold blood is quite a despicable act. His unwillingness to renegotiate Antonio’s debt and his unscrupulous lending tactics make him a detestable character.