In Venetia traia un evreu pe nume Shylock, un camatar care adunase o avere uriasa imprumutand cu dobanzi mari. Satutul lui este bine definit inca din prima sa replica:
"Three thousand ducats, well" (I,ii,1)
Adversarul sau in aceasta profesie, Antonio, il uraste nespus de mult. Ura lui Antonio se bazeaza atat pe rivalitate profesionala cat si pe originile evreiesti ale lui Shylock, unele aspecte fiind notate de acesta:
"He hates our sacred nation, and he rails
Even there where merchants do most congregate
On me, my bargains, and my well won thrift,
Which he calls interest" (I,iii,48-51)

La randul sau, Shylock, nutrea o ura la fel de puternica impotriva lui Antonio. De cate ori se intalneau in Rialto unde isi tineau tarabele zarafii, Antonio ii aducea diverse mustrari.
"Signior Antonio, many time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About the monies and my usances.
Still I have borne it with a patient shrug
(For suff'rance is the badge of our tribe).
You call me a mis-believer, cut-throat dog,
And spet on my Jewish gaberdine . . .
You that did void your rheum upon my beard,
And foot me as you would spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold" (I,iii,106-119)