Merchant of Venice- Blog#1- Shylock

In the beginning part of the Merchant of Venice, the character Shylock is portrayed as an antagonist for wanting a pound of Antonio's flesh, yet he we find ourselves feeling sympathy for him as he is constantly getting picked on for being a Jew.  Shylock when he threatens to take a pound of Antonio's flesh, meaning his heart if he does not repay his loan to Shylock on time. 

Shylock:If you repay me not on such a day./ In such a place, such a sum or sums as are/Expressed in the condition, let the forfeit/ Be nominated for an equal pound/ Of your fairflesh, to be cut off and taken/ In what part of your body pleaseth me. (1.3.158-163)

In addition to being a severe punishment, taking someone's heart is cruel and evil.  Shylock could have easily chosen a lighter punishment, but he chose Antonio's heart.  Someone who takes another one's heart, has no heart themselves, turning Shylock into an antagonist. Although he is the bad guy, we feel sympathy for him as he is constantly picked on by others for being a Jew.  One of those people happens to be Antonio who has spit on Shylock numerous times and publicly denounced him also.  However, Shylock does not show any hostility towards Antonio and strangely enough wants to be Antonio's friend.  

Shylock: In the Rialto you have rated me/ About my my moneys and usances/ still I have borne it with a patient shrug/ (For suffrance is the badge of all our tribe)./ You call me amisbeliever, cutthroat dog/ And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine/ And all for use of that which is mine own...

Antonio: I am as like to call thee so again,/ To spet on thee again, to spurn thee, too./ Ifthough wilt lend this money, lend it not/ As to thy friends, for when friendship take/A breed for barren metal of his friend?/ But lend it rather to thine enemy...

Shylock: I would be friends with you and have your love,/ Forget the shames you havestained me with...

In this scene, Shylock talks about what Antonio has done to him, including calling him a dog and spitting on him.  Then, Antonio clearly says that he will probably do all of those things again, showing no regret for his actions.  This causes us to feel sorry for Shylock as he is c abused by Antonio, yet he seeks no revenge.  Shylock and most other Jews are constantly discriminated against because of their religion, turning them into victims.  We can't help but feel bad for victims treated unfairly.  Then, we feel more sympathy for Shylock as he asks Antonio and forget everything from the past.  Of course, Antonio turns him down, saying that they will be enemies.  Therefore, we have sympathy for Shylock, although he is in the antagonist in the book.