Shylock 2

Shylock
Shylock is definitely the most complicated character in the play "The Merchant of Venice." He is a Jewish moneylender. Which is a double disadvantage for him, as there were not many Jewish people in England during the Elizabethan Period. Jewish people were hated, and so was the money lending profession, but often, it was the only profession they could take up, as often, Jews were not allowed to own land or trade.
We first encounter Shylock in Act 1, Scene 3, he appears to be a very cautious businessman and seems to be trying to make Bassanio nervous as well. Shylock also makes it very obvious that he hates Antonio, because he is Christian, but also because he lends money, interest free, shown in the following quote:
"I hate him for he is a Christian;
But more for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis"
He repeats the terms quite a few times, musing over them. It is also shown that Shylock is a man who deals not much with people, but more with their money. This is shown when he says:
"Antonio is a good man"
Bassanio takes this as a compliment for Antonio, a good person, honourable, when Shylock means it as good for money, financially sound and secure.
At this point it is good to notice that the audience, by now, do not particularly like Shylock very much. He has shown to be mean and almost disrespectful when he refuses their dinner offer, although his religion says he must not eat pork.
Suddenly, he bursts out with a speech on how much Antonio has treated him:
"You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,"
All of a sudden the audience feel sympathetic towards Shylock, this poor man has been spat on, teased and called names, yet he is even considering lending them money. Then another switch, Shylock comes out with an extremely strange bond. He says, that if Bassanio can not pay the bond, Antonio shall pay it, if Antonio can not pay it, he will take:
"an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to...