The Merchant of Venice

The Venice Times

In Venicetoday, two men have made an unusual bond. The two men

involved are Antonio, the wealthy well known merchant whose ships are

all out at sea. Shylock who is Jewish is the other person involved in

this strange agreement. Shylock makes a living by lending people money

and then charging them interest on it. As we know Antonio and Shylock

are not the best of friends, after all Antonio puts shylock out of

business as he charges no interest on his loans therefore reduces the

amount of money shylock can earn. Shylock, as he is a Jew is looked

down upon by Antonio the bond was made in a public place in. We have

an interview with both of the men. We asked Shylock why he agreed to

this bond seeing as Antonio and he are not the best of friends.

Shylock said: 'Many a time Antonio has

abused my job and my money, he calls me a misbeliever, a dog and he

spits upon my Jewish gabardine. Antonio kicks me like you would a

strange dog that has walked on to your territory. But despite all of

this, I have not retaliated, and I have suffered in silence. But I am

willing to offer a hand of friendship and lend him the money.

We asked Antonio if he was sorry for his sins against Shylock, Antonio

said 'I don't repent my sins; I am

likely to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.'

We asked Shylock the conditions of the bond shylock: 'if he repays me

not on the day at the place we have agreed three months from now, the

I shall take a

pound of flesh from Antonio's body from where ever pleases me,' This

is quite a vulgar radical resolution to this bond. We asked Antonio if

he is suspicious of Shylocks motives Antonio: 'I'll seal to such a

bond…' Antonio feels that he has

no reason to be suspicious he is confident that all his ships will

come in , so it is unlikely for shylock to have to resort to such a