These four depictions of Shylock are representative of the movement of Expressionism that flourished
in art--painting, literature, and drama--in the Twenties. Expressionism can be quickly--and therefore
somewhat loosely--opposed to Impressionism: whereas Impressionism sought to present a subjective
impression of a scene one might actually observe, Expressionism looked inward to the human psyche
for its images. Expressionism, therefore, expresses a distorted, nightmarish vision of reality that
relates, partly, to the dark and distorted aspects of the human psyche. Given that Shylock has
historically been associated with the 'devilish and malignant' forces of Judaism, these Expressionist
depictions of Shylock suggest a dark and distorted view of his character.