Evaluate Shylock against racial discrimination in Act 3, Scene 1 in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

When referring to discrimination against Jewish people, it is actually called anti-semitism. This refers to the Semitic language traditionally spoken by Jews and associated with their lineage. That being said, Shylock endures a lot of discrimination while living in Europe, and most of it comes from Antonio. Shylock seeks revenge because he is pushed past his breaking point when dealing with Christians. He is treated like a second-class citizen when he works, trades, and contributes...

When referring to discrimination against Jewish people, it is actually called anti-semitism. This refers to the Semitic language traditionally spoken by Jews and associated with their lineage. That being said, Shylock endures a lot of discrimination while living in Europe, and most of it comes from Antonio. Shylock seeks revenge because he is pushed past his breaking point when dealing with Christians. He is treated like a second-class citizen when he works, trades, and contributes to the economy of Venice just as well, if not more than, anyone else. Shylock details the nature of his suffering at the hand of Antonio as follows:

"He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my  nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies, and what's his reason?-- I am a Jew" (III.i.46-49).

It's a wonder that Shylock would even consider doing business with Antonio after all he's suffered under the man's bigotry. No wonder Shylock sees an opportunity to teach Antonio a lesson when Bassanio comes to him for money on Antonio's credit. One would think that he would deny him for pride's sake, but Shylock thus seeks revenge and makes the contract require a pound of flesh which Antonio can't repay. Shylock cannot socially retaliate against Antonio in a Christian-dominated society, so he binds him through the law, which he supposes is equitable and reliable. 

Evaluate Shylock against discrimination? Why, his reactions prove his character--revenge.

"If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction" (III.i.57-61).