Shylock Victim Analysis

Shylock: Villain or Victim In the Shakespeare comedy The Merchant of Venice we find a Jewish moneylender, Shylock, a victim of anti-Semitism, cursed as he tries to make his way in a Christian society. It is not long before Shylock is presented with an opportunity to extract revenge on one of his oppressors a Christian merchant Antonio, who is in need of Shylock’s services. Antonio needs three-thousand ducats to send his good friend Bassanio on a romantic journey. In turn Shylock wants a “pound of flesh” to guarantee the bond. Shylock, at first sight is a victim of religious persecution and soon becomes antagonist in the story. Lacking mercy for his oppressors and hell bent on revenge, ultimately leads to his demise. We find Shylock dressed
At this Shylock is seen for his greed and desire to have Antonio’s life. Shylock will have none of it, demanding his pound of flesh at the trial. As the trial gets underway the Christian people bind together in protest of the ill seeking matter that Shylock is demanding. Bassanio appears with twice the amount of ducats due and pleads for Shylock’s mercy. Shylock calloused from Christian mistreatment will not be swayed from his bond. As he prepares to extract his revenge, he is informed by Portia (Dr. Bellario) “This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are “a pound of flesh” (Act IV, Scene 1,line 305), then she states to Shylock: “Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more But just a pound of flesh” (Act IV, Scene 1, line 324-25)… ending with “Thou diest, and all goods are confiscated” (Act IV, Scene, 1, line 331). Here we witness that Shylock is not only at battle with a Christian society but he most also encounter pro-Christian law. In that same instance we see a cowardly and gluttonous side of Shylock as he grasps for any last hope of victory. Those thoughts are soon shattered, as Shylock is stripped of all his worldly desires. All the while the court portrays itself as merciful by allowing him the opportunity to take on the Christian faith. Entering this reading of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, as bias reader might profess that this is a compliment to horrendous discrimination
Viewing Shylock, many may see his flaws. Though flawed, Shylock is still a man with great faith in his religious beliefs pious and devout, who raised a daughter to the best of his abilities in hopes that one day she would carry on with his faith, religious beliefs and bear him grandchildren. This, in turn ends, Shylock’s heritage of usury, all he owns, stripping him of his Jewish