that Christians themselves should also, then, follow the restriction against eating pork. Shylock is criticizing Christians, but more generally he is also noting that socially Jews are limited as to how much they can interact with Christians. Most Christians back then would socialize with Jews only when they found it necessary to do so (as Bassanio is now driven by the necessity to borrow money). And the Jews preferred it this way for the most part since their customs and beliefs were often in conflict with those of the Christians.
As Antonio approaches Bassanio and the money-lender, Shylock delivers an even longeraside. As it so happens, Shylock dislikes Antonio not only because Antonio is Christian. Rather, Shylock has a personal grudge (complaint or resentment) against him:
How like a fawning publican he looks. I hate him for he is a Christian;
But more, for in that low simplicity
He lends out money gratis, and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I can catch him once upon thehip
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains, and my well-known thrift –