Question

Can we say it was cruel of shylock to have demanded a pound of flesh

Answer 1

It's not like we all think that shylock is cruel,but it's Antonio who used to insult him in rialto(Venetian stock exchange market)due to which shylock had a feeling of taking revenge to Antonio. It's not shylock's fault

Answer 2

Yes , It was not only cruel but also inhuman of shylock to demand a pound of flesh . On a reader's perspective we think that it was cruel of shylock to ask for a pound of flesh from any part of antonio's body . But if we see from Shylock's perspective we come to know about his intense hatred for Antonio . And this hatred is worth because Antonio has insulted shylock many times and in front of many . Shylock thinks that he is just getting even with Antonio . He is just taking revenge . And for him is absolutely right .

But taking a pound of flesh as a revenge of insult is inhuman and cruel .

All the best for exam .