Shylock is a character in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." He is a Jewish moneylender who is portrayed as a greedy and vengeful character, seeking revenge on the Christian merchant, Antonio. The play deals with themes of prejudice, mercy, and justice, and Shylock's portrayal has been a topic of much debate and interpretation over the years. Some have seen him as a sympathetic character, while others have criticized Shakespeare's portrayal of Jews as stereotypical and anti-Semitic.