Shylock's Downfall
In Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, the Jewish money lender, is only partly responsible for his own downfall. In fact, he is responsible perhaps to a lesser extent than the other parties. It is true that Shylock set the terms of the bond that was to eventually destroy him, and throughout his life had led a cruel and merciless vendetta against the non-Jews. It is also true that Shylock's very personality and conduct drove people from him, and evoked a strong sense of unease, even hatred. However, in The Merchant of Venice, two other parties, and a num…
