Tubal, Shylock, and the Myth of Venice

Abstract

In Shakespeare’s comedy The Merchant of Venice, Tubal’s chief function seems to be to furnish cash for Shylock’s loan to Antonio. However, I argue that when Shylock approaches Tubal for money, Tubal does not confront Shylock but vows instead to establish conditions by which to convict the moneylender of intent to harm Antonio. For this to work, Tubal needs the connivance of the Duke, which gainsays one component of the myth of Venice that holds that the city-state’s legal system is above reproach.