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On the Duke's pronouncing "He shall do this," Shylock is quite struck down. His ideas are, as it were, paralysed with horror at the thought of turning Christian,-and thenceforth he speaks and acts as if perfectly reckless of what is passing. All the stage tricks of first looking contemptuously at Gratiano, then maliciously at Antonio, and finally grinning to the audience, as he rushes out of the Court, are perfectly foreign to the author's intentions.

Throughout the whole of this well-wrought character, there is nothing in word or action to show that Shakespeare intended to mark the Jew for the public execration, which has been so profusely and uncharitably poured out against him. On the contrary, he has clothed him with every attribute which could deprecate censure. His general deportment is dignified, although mixed with the humility derived from a knowledge that sufferance is the badge of a persecuted people. To his servant he is kind,—to his friend, sincere. He is affectionate to his daughter, and cherishes the memory of a much-loved wife. He displays very quick perception of the remarks of others, and a great store of knowledge in his own conversation. With all these qualities he is still, as Haslam says, not free from the weaknesses and infirmities of poor human nature; and having suffered, in his aged person, the indignities of being kicked and spit upon, by a man who knew

that by the law he might kick and spit on a Jew with impunity, in a moment of human depravity he vows to sacrifice his persecutor; and having registered his offering by an oath in Heaven, he with the mistaken zeal of an Enthusiast, considers that he must do according to that which has proceeded out of his mouth, and according to the vow which he had vowed."

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DEAN AND MUNDAY, PRINTERS,
THREADNEEDLE STREET.

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