There is an irreverent relationship between Shylock and the Christians.

Solanio and
Salerio openly mock Shylock, as evidenced by what Solanio said, “How now, Shylock! what
news among the merchants?” Even though Solanio knew that Jessica had fled with Lorenzo, a
Christian, he still sarcastically asked what was going on with Shylock. Salerio also stated that
there was more difference between Jessica and Shylock than between “jet and ivory” or “red
wine and rhenish”. This only serves to infuriate Shylock, whom says that Jessica is his own
“flesh and blood”. On the other hand, Shylock also hates Christians openly, especially Antonio,
calling him “a prodigal” and “a beggar”, meaning that Antonio spent his money recklessly and
thus had no money left. Upon hearing that Antonio had a ship cast away, he repeatedly said the
phrases “I thank God”, “I am glad of it”, and promising to “plague” and “torture” him. The
repetition shows how excited and joyful he was upon hearing of Antonio’s, a Christian’s,
misfortune. These evidences show that there is an irreverent relationship between Shylock and
the Christians.
There is also a bitter relationship between Shylock and the Christians. Shylock asks,
“Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections,
passions?” This shows that Shylock is fed up of the discrimination Jews are facing against
Christians, and asks whether Jews and Christians are really that different after all. Shylock also
plans to get his revenge on Antonio, saying, “The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it
shall go hard but I will better the instruction.” This shows that Shylock is ready to return the
suffering Christians had made him suffer, but even more than his “teachers”, the Christians.
Upon hearing that Tubal could not find Jessica, Shylock despairs over his loss of money and
daughter, crying “The curse never fell upon our nation till now; I never felt it till now: two
thousand ducats in that; and other precious, precious jewels. I would my daughter were dead at
my foot, and the jewels in her ear! would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her
coffin!” Shylock would rather have Jessica dead and the jewels and ducats back with him than
have her run away with a Christian. This shows that there is a bitter relationship between
Shylock and the Christians.