A discussion of Shylock's portrayal in the court scene and the rest of the play, in the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

In this scene, Shylock is portrayed as a hateful man. He wishes death on Antonio, preferring to accept a "weight of carrion flesh" to three thousand ducats. Previously, in Venice, he wished that his "daughter were dead at [his] foot", and that his "jewels [were] in her ear". He is also portrayed as an unmerciful person. After Portia asks him to "render the deeds of mercy", he replies that he is not compelled to do …

…calling him a "devil incarnation" and Antonio saying he is a "goodly apple rotten at the heart". Shylock is also seen as underprivileged, seen as subhuman in the eyes of the Christians. In the eyes of the Christians, he is an "inexecrable dog" and "faithless Jew". Also, even though Portia appears to be merciful and asks him to show mercy to Antonio, she does not show mercy to him when sending him to his doom.