in his monologue, Shylock argues that Jews are human beings and calls for vengeance as a response to the cruelty of Venetian citizens. I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? ... If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? Christians and Jews are the same in body, feelings and reactions. Christian characters refer to Shylock as the devil.