The supposed antisemitism in this play (by the characters, I believe there is none by Shakespeare) can only be understood in reference to Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta, which Shakespeare would have read. Shylock ultimately loses the most in the play: his daughter, his fortune, and his religion. But he is, to me, the most sympathetic character.

Also, the mercy speech by Portia: I’m reading this in a law school context, which is why I think this speech is beautiful but ironically, bad law. The law should function as a system of justice that doesn’t require mercy. An equitable system doesn’t have to appeal to the emotions of the parties.