In the play the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, the character ShylockÕs portrayal changes a great deal. This manÕs image goes from that of a cruel and evil murder to a pitiful and helpless beggar of mercy. These circumstances raise the question of what kind of man Shylock truly is, and whether or not the reader should feel pity for him. There is no doubt that Shylock is a man with faults, …showed first 75 words of 707 total…

…showed last 75 words of 707 total…of provocation. Antonio knows exactly the risk he is taking, and rather than attempt to foster any kind of peace with Shylock, he embraces hate and encourages Shylock to do the same. Under these circumstances it would take a very pious man to offer Antonio mercy. ShylockÕs inability to find this mercy for Antonio becomes forgivable. As a result Shylock becomes a man whom the audience sympathizes with at the end of the play.