What does Shylock mean when he says that he follows ‘a losing suit’ against Antonio?

Shylock's statement that he is following 'a losing suit' against Antonio is a metaphorical way of expressing his pursuit of a cause that he is unlikely to win. This phrase is from Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice".

1. Understanding the Characters: Shylock is a Jewish moneylender, and Antonio is a Christian merchant. They are adversaries in the play due to their religious differences and personal animosity.

2. Understanding the Context: The 'losing suit' Shylock refers to is his legal case against Antonio. Antonio has borrowed money from Shylock and has not been able to repay it. According to their agreement, Shylock is entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh if the debt is not repaid.

3. Understanding the Phrase: When Shylock says he is following 'a losing suit', he is acknowledging that his chances of winning the case and getting his revenge on Antonio are slim. This could be due to the bias of the Venetian court system against Jews, or because of the inhumanity of his demand.

4. Conclusion: Therefore, Shylock's statement is an expression of his determination to pursue his revenge against Antonio, despite the odds being against him.