by Aidan Lang
Throughout Act II, we see on full display the culturally accepted anti-Semitism within Venetian society, and how that is actively fueling the need for revenge in the story’s antagonist, Shylock. Despite being a “lenient master”, Shylock’s servant, Lancelot, wants to run away due to Shylock being “a kind of devil”. He ends up enlisting the employment of Bassanio, as a means to escape Shylock despite not even knowing how he will be treated by his new master. Even Shylock’s daughter Jessica runs away to marry Bassanio without even really knowing if she loves him. When Shylock learns of these betrayals, he is furious and desperate for revenge. After learning that Antonio is not going to be able to pay for Bassanio’s loan in money, Shylock is more than willing to accept Antonio’s flesh. (Kill him.) From Shylock’s perspective, he is only showing the same callousness and indifference to Antonio that everybody, including his own daughter, shows him.