Before and around Shakespeare's time Jews were portrayed on stage as stock characters. They were played by Christians dressed up in long cloaks, wearing a skullcap with a long beard. They spoke in exaggerated tones and accents and made lots of arm movements. They were figures of fun, the comedy relief, and they were viewed as money grabbing misers. They often died on stage or if not they were severely punished. Whatever happened they always lost one way or another, and more often than not bad things happened to their wives and daughters. I think in not putting...
to these terms or he will recant the pardon of Shylock's life, and Shylock agrees. These last series of events show Shylock to be a great victim. Shylock tells the courtroom he is not well and asks to be allowed to leave immediately.

Overall I believe Shylock was both a victim and a villain, but I think Shylock only wanted revenge because of the way he had been victimised all his life. I believe if he had been treated fairly he would not have done anything villainous, so all in all I believe Shylock was a victim.