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The significant differences between Belmont and Venice in The Merchant of Venice coincide with the settings that are characteristic of each town. The Italian port of Venice is a vibrant city, ripe with crowds, tourists, merchants, and foreign visitors. Belmont is a distant region with all the splendor of the Italian countryside. The stark differences affect the personalities and actions of the key players in the drama.
Shylock hates Antonio because he is a Christian. (Act I , scene iii : “I hate him for he is a Christian.”)
He hates him because he lends money without interest while Shylock charges with really high rates of interest. This results Shylock to lose money in the long run because, it additionally gives him bad reputation, plus he loses a lot profit and ruins his business.(Act I , scene iii : “But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis, and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice.”)
Antonio hates Shylock’s religion and abuses him as well as his religion in front of all merchants. (Act I , scene iii : “ He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, Even there where merchants most do congregate” & “Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances “)
Antonio had called him misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon his Jewish gaberdine, even kicked him at public place. (Act I , scene iii )
Shylock held Antonio responsible for his daughter’s elopement with Lorenzo (though he had not helped them elope). (Act II , scene iv)
In the final line of Shylock’s famous “hath not a Jew eyes?” speech, Shylock describes nature of revenge as a never-ending and intensifying cycle. He demonstrates that he understands that killing Antonio would be a larger crime than Antonio’s offenses against him, but prefers it that way. In this line Shylock simultaneously validates his desire for revenge, explaining that he’s only a villain because Antonio and his friends have taught him to be that way through their cruelty, and condemns it, explaining how he would take pleasure in a greater punishment for Antonio.
Shylock explains to his daughter Jessica his suspicions that Bassanio and Antonio only invited him to dinner because they want something from him. He chooses to attend in order to exploit Antonio’s liberal hospitality. Shylock reveals a twisted vengeful character in his choice of words to “feed upon” Antonio, foreshadowing the pound of flesh he’ll demand. (Act II, scene v)
Solanio discusses with Bassanio Shylock’s aggressive intent to get revenge on Antonio. He explains that Shylock would rather take Antonio’s flesh than money to pay his debt because such an act would give him the revenge he has always wanted. Solanio also voices concern as he believes no one can stop Shylock or deter him from his need for revenge. While Shylock believes he has valid reasons for his hatred of Antonio, his hatred and revenge take over his character and blind him. (Act III, scene ii)
Shylock is a Jew, and at the time of the play, Venetian laws segregated Jews with extra laws. Antonio is a Christian, and Shylock sees Christianity and Christians as the reason Venetian law is what it is.
Antonio, is a collective representation of all the people who have wronged Shylock, because Shylock was a Jew, moneylender and a foreigner. These prejudices against Shylock made him hate Christianity and Antonio.