The Merchant of Venice Antagonist Shylock Shylock is an obvious candidate as the play’s antagonist, as he’s the dark character who is inarguably on the fringes of the society. He motivates the main conflict in the plot about the debt, and he is immovable on the point of wanting Antonio’s flesh and not monetary compensation. Shylock also openly admits to hating Antonio, as he is a Christian and also bad for business. More… ======================================… Antagonist Antonio With respect to the play’s two plots, Antonio is either a loyal and benevolent keeper of his dear friend Bassanio, or an utterly deluded anti-Semite. If the play is interpreted as a statement in favor of all mankind’s humanity, then both Shylock and Antonio can rightfully be condemned for their religious animosity. Shylock though, unlike Antonio, is in the position of the oppressed, so his hatred is a reaction, while Antonio, in a power position as the majority religion, pursues his hatred of Shylock for no re