Technique Textual Evidence Analysis

“Be lend it rather to thine Antonio states to give money

enemy” to enemies rather than friends
as they can carry out the
punishment without care. This
expresses Antonio’s lack of
intelligence as it seems as
though he wishes to give his
enemy (Shylock) an
unnecessary advantage.
Irony “To spit on thee again, to Antonio presents a lack of
spurn thee too” intelligence by constantly
mocking Shylock despite the
fact that he is the one that
wishes to borrow money from
Shylock. Antonio shows no
remorse and makes the
situation worse for himself,
hence, resulting in Shylock
demanding a pound of flesh
rather than interest

Anthropomorphism “A breed for barren metal of Antonio talks about money as

his friend?” though it were capable of
"breeding" as if it were a living
being. By comparing it to a
living being he emphasises the
importance of money and
wealth in Venice is similar to
the importance of an
individual.