Sizing Up Shylock's Name Again

Abstract

AbstractWhence the name of the Hebrew moneylender Shylock? Although Gross has a chapter title relating to this, the name sounds basically more British than anything else. Indeed, the dramatist's father was himself a lender of money and often considered a Catholic recusant, so Shylock's name connects with that of another such recusant, Shacklock, a name with curious associations with Sherlock. Suggestions of the German scheu and Scottish loch with Shy-lock are also possible. The name may also have connections with John Florio.