The Merchant of Venice Shylock Quotes

Shylock

Quote 13

SHYLOCK
What, Jessica!—Thou shalt not gormandize
As thou hast done with me—what, Jessica!—
And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out.—
Why, Jessica, I say! (2.5.3-6)

Shylock is not particularly loving with his daughter, is he?

Shylock

Quote 14

SHYLOCK
Jessica, my girl,
Look to my house. (2.5.16-17)

Here Shylock seems to trust his daughter, and "my girl" seems affectionate enough (for Shylock at least). That he trusts her with his house, his wealth, and her dignity is a mark of his love for her. Of course, he's about to be betrayed big time, so this doesn't bode well for him loving and trusting again. If she's the only character in the play he can love, and she betrays him, then there's really no turning back his hatred.

Shylock

Quote 15

SHYLOCK
I will buy with
you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so
following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray
with you. (1.3.9)

Shylock is isolated from Christian society. He can engage with Christians in business dealings, and so he has a livelihood, but it's clear from this passage that he keeps his distance socially. He's a Jew in a Christian country, which explains the animosity we see from and toward him.