Contends that the image of Shylock reflected myths about the Jews widespread in England in Shakespeare's time. Dwells on two such myths: on ritual murder, allegedly practiced by the Jews, and on circumcision - in particular, that the Jews steal Christian boys to circumcise them. One mythical tale associates and even confuses circumcision with castration. It has been commented that when Shylock demanded a "pound of flesh" from Antonio, he in fact intended to castrate him. Examines other beliefs prevalent in England at that time on circumcision - e.g. that Judaism practices circumcision on the penis while Christianity deals with circumcision of the heart, and that this rite makes the Jewish body less masculine. Some of these beliefs are also expressed in Shakespeare's play.