Is Shylock a Victim or a Villain?

Shakespeare first introduces Shylock in Act1:Scene3. With no stage directions we have to decipher what a character is like only through what they say. “Three thousand Ducats-well.” His first line is about money. Shakespeare instantly gives us the impression that his only interest is money. This is also the case when he is at home with Jessica, his daughter and away from work. He explains how he dreamed of money bags yet does not acknowledge his daughter or show her any affection. However we later find out that money is not the only thing on his mind but his longing hatred for Antonio. Shylock hates him for he is a Christian but more because he lends money with no interest.
Antonio’s hate is reciprocated as he compares Shylock with the Devil and other animals like dogs. In the ring plot involving Portia and the caskets the first Prince is from Morroco, who was black, chose the gold casket but it was not the correct one. The complexion of a Devil in the eyes of An Elizabethan audience was black. This hatred between them is introduced only to grow throughout the play. Shakespeare is very clever and drops hints about Shylock’s character and the actions he will take at the start of the play. Shylock mutters “Cursed be my tribe, if I ever forgive him.” He will show no mercy towards Antonio and he does not in the trial scene in Act 4: Scene 1.
It hard to decide whether Shylock is a victim or villain when he is first introduced as we learn about what he has had to put up with, being called a misbeliever, cut throat dog and others spitting on his beard for the reason that he is a Jew. We feel pity and sympathy for the things he has had to endure which means we cannot cling to a unique view of Shylock as a villain. He wants people to respect him and like him yet he cannot show any affection or respect towards his own daughter. He shows the same hatred back towards Antonio and if he catches him once upon the hip he will take his revenge. Coiling up all the hatred he has...