for borrowing money. This shows Antonio's trust in his ship even though there were strong winds and high chances that his ship will be overturned. Antonio is very naive about the real world of business and no matter what happens he thinks he will be successful. On the other hand, Shylock is a wise business man, but very greedy. These characteristics are displayed in the following quotation: "Mark what Jacob did . . . and in the doing of the deed of kind [Laban] struck them up before the fulsome ewes, who then conceiving did in eaning time fullparti-colored lambs, and those were Jacob's. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; and thrift is blessing if men steal it not." When Shylock gave Antonio a loan, he charged him interest justified by the story in the Bible mentioned before. Shylock compares Antonio to Laban, both being kind, therefore both must be givers of interest.My view is that Shylock puts himself on the level of Jacob, a righteous man, showing his egotistical character. His greedy personality is expressed when Shylock finds sources of interest in a farfetched manner. In truth, this passage is an act of kindness, stressing Shylock's characteristic of being narrow minded. Antonio and Shylock are very similar people as well as opposites. Both, as proven in the story, are against the infidels to their religion and believe that their religion is the superior one. In terms of business, Antonio is generous, being willing to give thricethe loan, and Shylock is greedy, by asking for three times the loan. Antonio agrees to the deal, being very naive that his ship willreturn safely, and Shylock is very clever, but sneaky, in terms of this deal. While Antonio's perspectives on the secular and religious world are very naive, Shylock makes judgements based on first impressions. Antonio and Shylock showing their good qualities, suggest that men may look perfect, but deep inside, they acquire negative characteristics....
