# Shylock — The Merchant of Venice character guide

> Shylock in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** old Shylock, the Jew

**First appearance:** 0004-act-i-scene-iii

## Snapshot

A Venetian moneylender whose grievance against Antonio curdles into a bond demanding a pound of the merchant's flesh.

## Who they are

Shylock lends where Christians will not, charging interest that earns him both profit and contempt in a city that despises his faith. Antonio has spat on him and called him dog; when the merchant needs a loan, Shylock sees a chance to bind his enemy to a lethal contract. His insistence on the letter of the bond—'I'll have my bond'—drives the play's central crisis and forces Venice to confront the justice it owes its outsider.

## Relationships

### [Antonio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/antonio)

_rivalry_

Antonio and Shylock are bitter enemies, with Antonio's anti-Semitism and Shylock's desire for revenge culminating in the bond of a pound of flesh.

### [Gratiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/gratiano)

_rivalry_

Gratiano is openly hostile and mocking toward Shylock, representing the Christian contempt for the Jewish moneylender.

### [Portia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/portia)

_rivalry_

Portia, disguised as a lawyer, outwits Shylock in court and defeats his claim for Antonio's flesh.

### [Launcelot Gobbo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/launcelot_gobbo)

_professional_

Launcelot Gobbo is Shylock's former servant, leaving his service due to mistreatment and Shylock's miserly nature.

### [Lorenzo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/lorenzo)

_rivalry_

Lorenzo is Shylock's enemy, having eloped with Shylock's daughter Jessica and stolen his money.

### [Antonio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/antonio)

_rivalry_

Antonio and Shylock are bitter enemies, with Antonio's anti-Semitism and Shylock's desire for revenge culminating in the bond of a pound of flesh.

## In the story

### [Scene III: The Bond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Agrees to lend the money but proposes a flesh bond, revealing his deep resentment toward Antonio.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Mentioned as Launcelot's current master, from whom Launcelot wishes to escape.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Referenced as the Jewish father whose daughter plans to elope and take his wealth.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-v)

Gives Jessica his keys, expresses distrust of Christians, and warns her to lock up the house.

### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-viii)

Is heard crying out in the streets about his daughter Jessica's elopement and the stolen ducats and jewels, demanding justice.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Mourns his daughter's flight and stolen wealth, and vows revenge on Antonio.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Demands his bond and refuses to listen to pleas for mercy, citing past insults and his oath.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Insists on his bond, refusing mercy and multiple offers of repayment, until Portia's interpretation of the bond forces him to relent.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/shylock
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters