Shylock has long been regarded as a mean, cruel and inhuman usurer. And most of the criticism he suffered is neither right nor impartial. Viewed from the function of Shylock's character depiction in the play, combined with the background of the Elizabethan Age, it is reasonable that Shylock is obviously a victim of racial and religious discrimination. The discussion of the root of his meanness, cruelty and inhumanity can help the reader to treat Shylock more impartially and understand that the society should be more responsible for the shaping of his character than Shylock himself.
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