The *Merchant of Venice* is a fairly even-handed representation of the hostility between Jews and Christians that existed in the 16th century in Europe. Only when Shylock becomes malicious and seeks revenge upon Christians do the Christians set out to humiliate him -- and even then, they do not mutilate his body or kill him. As Portia says: "The quality of mercy is not strained." The Christians were merciful to the Jew, who scarcely deserved it.