3. Apart from getting the money for Antonio, what else does Shylock plan
to do? Why?
Answers
Lending money to Antonio is not Shylock's main purpose. The loan is only an excuse to trap Antonio. Shylock's plan is to lend Antonio a sum of three thousand ducats and get him to sign a tricky pact. The terms of the pact will help Shylock take revenge from Antonio. According to the pact, in case Antonio cannot keep his promise and repay the loan within the given time frame, Shylock will be entitled to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body.
Shylock intends to take the flesh from around Antonio's heart, which means that Shylock intends to kill Antonio, and that too without breaking any laws. Antonio has had a history of abusing and insulting Shylock in public, mainly because Shylock is a Jew. During those times Jews were considered outsiders and were discriminated against. Antonio has spat upon Shylock and even called him names. Therefore, Shylock is desperate for revenge and the money is only a means through which he can avenge himself.