The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice: Foil 1 key example

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Foil
Explanation and Analysis—The Moneylenders:

Though Antonio and Shylock are pitted against each other, they still serve as foils for each other, defining each other by contrast and, in the end, commonality. The lenders come from different religions and approach their business differently: Antonio lends to his friends without interest, while Shylock makes a financial profit from usury. Each sees the other as a villain and both are correct, as Antonio and Shylock are both capable of cruelty. But in their antagonism and opposition—Antonio attacking Shylock in the streets, Shylock going to court to cut into Antonio’s flesh—each man proves something about the other, and about every man.