Revenge is a sign of weakness, as one often takes revenge to feel weak. Therefore, only people with true strength possess the blessings of forgiveness, as it takes a real person with a sincere heart to let go. This element of revenge is illustrated in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, as Shylock ultimately meets his end due to his character flaws. While it may seem that Shylock's revenge is what has left him ruined, it is essentially because of his excessive pride and lack of mercy that he is met with the inevitable