It perpetuates misconceptions about the power of Jewish moneylenders and I think Shylock’s fixation on financial rules is supposed be an extension of Jewish obsession with the law, but the point is made that not only is he a real person with genuine depth, but that the Christian’s treatment of him is lacking any Christian charity. The play is pretty honest about him having understandable reasons to lash out. My problem with some modern interpretations is that they’re afraid to make the Christians too likeable, but I think it has more to say about prejudice if they’re likeable people with blindspots.

I remember seeing promotional stuff for a recent production at the Globe that cut out the entire final act and used “You have among you many a purchased slave,” as a tagline on their website. That just made me roll my eyes.