Many people throughout history, in literature and in person have revealed who they are through their speeches.  In Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”, Shylock is fully revealed in his speeches. Shylock reveals his beliefs; his opinions; and all that is important to him. One of the main aspects of Shylock that is revealed throughout the play is his religious belief.

Through the play, Shylock makes many references to his faith, including details of significant individuals from the Old Testament and Jewish customs. (I, iii, 32-39) “Bassanio: `If it please you to dine with us.’ Shylock:`Yes, to smell pork! To eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into! I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you drink with you, nor pray with you.’” This explains the customs of Jewish people and the restrictions on what a Jewish person can eat, thus proving that he stays strong to his faith. (I,iii, 84-89) “No, not take interest, not as you would say, Directly `interest’. Mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromised that all the eanlings which were streaked and pied should fall as Jacob’s hire.” This proves that he refers to significant Jewish people from the Old Testament such as Jacob, and how he relates Jacob to himself, revealing how loyal he is to his religion. Another important part of Shylock revealed in his speeches is his opinions about other people and other religions.

Shylock reveals his opinions on how Christianity is much like the Jewish faith (how they should be equal), his distain for Antonio, and his hurt and anger when his daughter runs away. (II, viii, 14-23) “As the dog Jew did utter in the streets. `My daughter, O my ducats, O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter, a sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, of double ducats, stol’n from me by my daughter, and jewels-two stones, two rich and precious stones-stol’n by my daughter! Justice! Find the girl! She hath the stones upon her, and the ducats.’” This reveals the fact that he hates Christians since he cannot bare that his daughter ran off with a Christian, he also reveals that he hates his daughter now that she stole all his money. Thus exposing his opinions on Christianity and how he distains Christians. (III, i, 57-72) “… I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs… Fed with the same food…as a Christian is? …And if you wrong us do we not seek revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that…” This shows that Shylock believes that in his opinion, Jews are not unlike the Christians in anything but their God and their customs, although he still hates Christians. Shylock also reveals the most import part of his character.

Shylock reveals most importantly how he has become a broken man. He is not about hate, but he appears to be due to the fact that he seems to want to kill Antonio.  He is actually the true victim in all of this. He is called dog, the Jew, the devil, the money lender; he has been ridiculed and spat on. He is unjustly hated by not only Antonio and Bassanio, but also Jessica, his own daughter. He is insulted to his face and behind his back. (II, ii, 105) “Give him a gift, give him a halter”. In this, Lancelet suggests that he, one of Shylock’s servants, hates him to the point of wishing that he die as “halter” also means noose. Shylock Jewish heritage is completely misunderstood as well. (I, iii, 191) “The Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind.” This says that Antonio is obviously so anti-Jewish that an act of kindness is considered to be a change to Christianity.

Much about Shylock is exposed during the play. Shylock is a strong, proud Jew. Shylock has a variety of opinions. And Shylock loves much and hates more. Shylock reveals much in what he says to the other characters of the play and to the audience in his asides.  What he says is that he has been hurt by the other characters.  This hurt makes him want to do something he may not have done normally, which is to take a pound of flesh from Antonio as a repayment for a loan.