Throughout the play, Shylock is directly addressed as only “Jew.” Sometimes he is referred to as a “Jew dog” as well. It is doubtful that he is the only man who practices Judaism in Venice, but the Christians who dislike him for one reason or another, do not call him by his real name and instead, simply refer to him only by his choice of faith. Today, it isn’t always specifically Christianity and Judaism that oppose each other. It happens with a number of religions around the world. For example, in America today, there are many ignorant people who believe that all Muslims are terrorists who hate Americans. This is, of course, a stereotype, but it seems that these stereotypes were no different in Venice at this time. Assuming that these insults were rather derogatory, as they would be considered in modern times, Shylock’s actions probably seem logical in his own mind, but it is important to note that calling him “Jew,” is not the only way in which he is ridiculed for his beliefs.
Most of the mocking takes place at the trial over what Antonio will lose, whether it is a pound of his own flesh, or some amount of money. At one point, Antonio, who could still possibly die at the outcome of the trial, speaks to Bassanio about trying to reason with Shylock. He says, “I pray you, think you question with the Jew?... You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to soften that – than which what’s harder? – his Jewish heart,” (IV. i. 70, 79-81). He is basically saying that there is no way to reason with someone of the Jewish faith and that because he is Jewish, his heart knows no mercy. He states this while Shylock is most likely standing directly in front of them and Antonio speaks as if he is not even present. He also doesn’t seem to mind the fact that he could very well be seriously maimed because of Shylock. This is a very rude exchange, but surely there have been equivalences of ignorance in recent years.
In the courtroom scene, the Duke says to Shylock, “We all expect a gentle answer, Jew.” (IV, i, 35). He means he expects Shylock to show the mercy of a gentile, more specifically a Christian, who would show mercy to Antonio and waive the bond. In the very same scene, when the table turns and Antonio controls the fate of Shylock, Antonio releases the Jew. As for Judaism being portrayed correctly, throughout the play Shylock makes countless references to his religion. When Antonio and Shylock argue the exact teachings of the Bible concerning loans and collecting interest, Shylock refers the story of Jacob and Laban. Shylock also refers to the “holy Sabbath” in the courtroom. Shylock also tells Bassanio he will not eat with him, referring to the pigs that Jesus drove demons into. These, along with other actions of the Jew show Shakespeare did his best to keep Judaism unchanged for his play.Shakespeare still had to please the crowd with the insults and anti-Semitic feelings the people loved. He did this by adding flaws to the characters that they are now known for. Shakespeare gave Shylock his deep hatred for Antonio and all Christians, shown constantly by Shylock himself as he rants how Antonio constantly wrongs him. Another flaw in Shylock’s morals is seen in his “Hath not a Jew eyes” speech. There he believes he has the right for revenge when a Christian wrongs him, saying, “If a Jew wrongs a Christians, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrongs a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge.” (III, i, 63-66). Antonio too shows flaws, both through Shylock’s stories of Antonio’s persecution and through the insults he offers Shylock throughout the play. In the courtroom scene, Antonio tells Bassanio he might as well go stand on the beach and tell the waves to stop their endless beat upon the shores than try to get the Jew to change his mind. He also jokes that Shylock is turning into a Christian with his kindness to lend Antonio the 3,000 ducats, saying “The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.” (I, iii, 170). Not only does this add the necessary conflicts for humor that the audience wants, but it provides the backbone for the story, showing the background of the relationship between the Jew and the Christian.