Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
attracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
Barabas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
becomes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he is a monster, not a man.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
Christian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
Christians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
cloister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
criminal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
demon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
fairy-tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
fit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
intolerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
Jew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
Jew's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
madhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he is a monster, not a man.
misused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
monster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he is a monster, not a man.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he is a monster, not a man.
nuns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
poisons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
refuge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
revenge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
robbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
Shakespeare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
Shylock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
thirsts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
uses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
usurer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barabas is a Jew and usurer, like Shylock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Shakespeare was attracted by the idea of making a real man and a real Jew out of this intolerable demon in a Jew's skin.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading When he has been misused by the Christians, and robbed of his whole fortune, he becomes a criminal fit only for a fairy-tale or for a madhouse: he uses his own daughter as an instrument for his revenge, and then poisons her along with all the nuns in whose cloister she has taken refuge.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Like Shylock, he has a daughter who is in love with a poor Christian; and, like him, he thirsts for revenge.
