Shylock is also perceived and portrayed as an enemy of the Christian faith and as the nemesis of the play's protagonist, Antonio. He therefore serves a distinct literary purpose by contrasting the depth of friendship exhibited by Antonio's group. Because he is not viewed as a friend, he cannot truly betray any of them. Thus, when Shylock does not back down from his bond with Antonio he is merely saving his own honor and dignity. Shylock repeatedly mentions his mistreatment at the hands of Antonio and the other Christians in Venice. They did not treat him as a friend and therefore Shylock does not act out of kindness or mercy. Shylock is never shown to betray those close to him: notably his daughter Jessica and his assistant Lancelot. On the other hand, Jessica and Lancelot both abandon Shylock. Jessica dishonors her father more so because of her ready decision to deny her Jewish faith and heritage in Act II, iii. Shylock therefore retains his honor by proving...
At the same time, his ruthlessness comes across as significantly dishonorable and also in stark contrast to the self-sacrificing actions of Portia and Bassanio. Shylock's conflicted character helps to reveal the opposites of both friendship and honor in the play. He stands out clearly as being an enemy who lacks respect and the ability to forgive. Moreover, when Shylock relents and accepts his defeat, he dishonors himself and his faith thoroughly by converting to Christianity. The conversion is, like Shylock, a conflicted move. He loses the one aspect of his character that distinguished him as being different from his Christian compatriots. Yet by relinquishing his Judaism he also gains honor in the eyes of the Venetian Christian public and most likely in the eyes of Shakespeare's anti-Semitic audiences.
