Shylock

"The Merchant of Venice" is a play by William Shakespeare that has sparked much debate over its portrayal of Jews and the character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. The play is set in Venice, where Shylock lends money to Antonio, a Christian merchant, with the stipulation that if Antonio fails to repay, Shylock may take a pound of his flesh.

Antonio borrows the money for his friend Bassanio, who needs it to court the wealthy heiress, Portia. When Antonio's ships are lost at sea and he cannot repay the loan, Shylock insists on his bond. In court, Portia, disguised as a lawyer, argues that Shylock can take his pound of flesh but not a drop of blood, rendering the bond impossible to fulfill without killing Antonio, which is unlawful.

The play ends with Shylock being forced to convert to Christianity and losing his fortune. The treatment of Shylock has been interpreted as a reflection of the antisemitism prevalent in Shakespeare's time. The character has been variously portrayed as a villain or a sympathetic figure, and the play's depiction of Jews has been the subject of scholarly debate and differing interpretations in various productions throughout history.

The English phrase “a pound of flesh” originates the play “The Merchant of Venice. It refers to a demand for repayment, regardless of the cost or consequences to the debtor. Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, agrees to lend money to Antonio on the condition that if the loan is not repaid, Shylock is entitled to a pound of Antonio’s flesh. The phrase has come to symbolize an insistence on being repaid, even if the repayment will destroy or harm the debtor

The postcard image shows Shylock looking a bit evil.

Deltiology

Artist: Sydney Carter
Publisher: S. Hildesheimer & Company Limited
Printer: Bavaria
Date:
Printing Type: Lithography

Rarity: Common