Shylock (from "The Merchant of Venice")

Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." He is portrayed as a complex character—proud of his heritage, yet subjected to prejudice and discrimination by others. Shylock's adherence to his financial practices and his desire for revenge when wronged highlight themes of justice, mercy, and societal intolerance. His famous demand for a "pound of flesh" from Antonio, a Christian merchant, explores the darker aspects of justice and human nature. Ultimately, Shylock embodies the tension between justice and mercy, as well as the impact of societal prejudice on individual behavior.