“To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me and my hindred me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies–and what’s his reason? I am a Jew.”
In this passage, Shylock is telling us everything Antonio has done to him. Shakespeare probably wants us to feel bad for Shylock right now. However, in another passage in the story Shakespeare talks about Antonio’s ships being wrecked and he might never get to see his best friend Bassanio again, because Shylock wants to kill him soon. Does Shakespeare want us to feel bad for Antonio and hate him at the same time? Who’s side is Shakespeare really on?