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How does Shakespeare present the character of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice?

Shylock plays the role of the most prominent figure in the play; he is the centre of the troubles that make the play a tragic comedy. I feel that Shylock's function in the play is to be the obstacle, the man who stands in the way of the love stories; such a man is a traditional figure in romantic comedies. Something or someone must impede young, romantic love, in this play it is Shylock and the many and various ways that he is linked to the three sets of lovers; his daughter Jessica and the Christian Lorenzo, Portia and Bassanio, Narissa and Gratiano. Though Shylock is a tormented character, he is also a tormentor, so whether he is to be viewed with disdain or sympathy is left up to the audience. Shylock first appears in Act 1 Scene 3 when Antonio asks to lend money off him for his friend Bassanio. This is where Shakespeare first presents Shylocks bitter and twisted attributes to the audience;......

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