Is shylock a victim or a villan?

Question:From the play merchant of venice, is the character a vicitm or villain or both. List reasons

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: From the play merchant of venice, is the character a vicitm or villain or both. List reasons

He's both. He suffers under the ugly anti-Semitism of the other characters, and his desire for revenge on them because of this has made him bitter and malignant.

[It should be noted that Shylock's adversaries are, with the exception of Portia, a shallow, nasty lot, far more concerned with money than Shylock is. Also, why haven't more people noted the astounding irony of Shylock's final punishment. For conspiracy to commit murder, he is sentenced to ... become a Christian! Think about it.]

he's a snake in the grass . A villian of the highest order.

In some ways, both. He's sneaky, greedy, and dishonest. But he also suffers the burden of taking a role in society that people want available but also despise him for.