Shylock in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
'The Merchant of Venice' is a play written by William Shakespeare. In
this play I will be analysing whether the character of Shylock is
classed as a villain or victim. His character is unclear, as he can be
seen as an orthodox Jew, where he is vicious and cunning, or he can be
seen as a nice and caring person. I will begin by explaining the ways
in which he can be seen as a villain.
Shylock is seen as a villain because of the way he acts towards other
people. Shylock is a very selfish man, and he will often only talk to
people if he knows it will affect him in a financial way. Shylock
resents Antonio because he lends out money without interest, this is
the reason why Shylock does not like him because it is bad for
Shylock's money lending business. This is showed when Shylock says,
'Gaoler…tell me not of mercy, This is the fool that lends out money
gratis.'
In Act 1 Scene 3, Antonio and Bassanio go to Shylock and ask him for a
loan. Shylock accepts because he sees this as a chance to make money
to help his business, this is why Shylock acts towards Antonio as a
friend saying, 'I would be friends with you, and have your love,
Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with.' Shylock then goes
alone and speaks to the audience and tells them how he really feels
towards Antonio, ' I hate him for he is a Christian…Cursed be my tribe
if I forgive him!' Shylock has planned a scheme, where he takes
Antonio's money away from him. Shylock is being very deceiving because
he is pretending to be Antonio's friend when really he hates him
inside. This shows Shylock as a villain as he is trying to rob Antonio
of his money.
Shylock is also seen as villainous in the way he treats his daughter
Jessica. In Act 2 Scene 5, he treats Jessica in the same way he may
play which I will be speaking of is Act 2 scene 3, lines 42-144. In
still a common view of Jews is for them to be penny pinching, both in
Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice An ogre is according to the Collins Dictionary “a monstrous or cruel being” but more significantly as “something or someone who eats human flesh.” Is this how Shylock is portrayed in the play or is he a simple human being, a species capable of showing emotions and feelings such as vulnerability and love. Certainly, Shylock is presented to the audience in so powerful a way that even though he only appears in five scenes, many consider him the central character. Throughout the play Shylock appears to be the butt of all the jokes and many critics see his status in the play as the tragic hero.
While engendering the bond in the inciting force of the play, Antonio says to Shylock – the antagonist – “Content in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond, / And say there is much kindness in the Jew” (1.3.149-150) which reveals how Antonio sees such positive terms in the deal. Although the terms may seem simples to follow, Antonio will still face the consequences of putting his life on the line for his dear friend, Bassanio. This bond portion of the play establishes relationships through the rivals and also gives background information about characters, which show the elements of dramatic significance. Subsequently, Shylock’s possessions are at stake during their trial after Antonio fails to pay him back because his argosies were abolished. Shylock’s punishment for attempting to
‘villain’; he is a complex mix of both. In the first part of the play,
Act 2 Scene 6 has a romantic atmosphere and when the play turns to Act
Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice Shylock's character in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' has long been a controversial subject- more so now than it was when the play was written in the late 16th Century. First performed in 1605, it seemingly conforms to the anti-semitic stereotypes towards Jews and their conduct but, unlike Shakespeare's rival's work ('The Jew of Malta) by Christopher Marlowe, the main Jewish character is attributed not only the negative traits associated with Jews at the time, but also a side that sees to show humanity. Therefore, in this essay, it is my aim to explore whether calling Shylock the villain in the play is justified or not based on his actions and those of the characters surrounding him (to see if there is evidence of provocation), and placing this into the context of Elizabethan England and thus coming to conclusions abut whether views towards the extent of his villainy have remained the same. The one single action in the play which seems most convictive of Shylock is his argument with argument over the lending of 3,000 ducats-and the penalty fixed in case of its late return in Act 3 scene 1.
Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice "Shylock is a two dimensional villain who does not deserve our
Shylock as the Villain in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare wrote 'The Merchant of Venice' in about 1597. It was first performed by The Chamberlain's Men at the Theatre Shoreditch. The Merchant of Venice was in the repertory of Shakespeare's company before they took up residence at the Globe in 1599. The play was written as a comedy, but has become a serious drama.
William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare features, Shylock a very controversial character due to his religion, profession and personal traits. Professionally Shylock lends money to people in debt, in order to gain interest and profit. Although, this is very much central to our modern way of life, in the Elizabethan period, money lending was not accepted as an acceptable profession. Throughout "The Merchant of Venice" Shylock is portrayed as menacing, inhumane and slightly eccentric, yet at times misunderstood and induces sympathy from the reader.
In Act 1 Scene 3, we are first introduced to Shylock, we see him as
In Act 3 Scene 3 (the scene following on from the one in question) the
Stephano and Trinculo further in the play in act 4 scene 1. As in act
things he has called him and for all the many times he has spat on him
Antonio and Shylock are both successful entrepreneurs in Venice but they both have different attitudes and experiences. When Antonio is asking Shylock for the loan he says, “Within these two months – that’s a month before this bond expires – I do expect, return of thrice times the value of this bond.” (1.3.169-170). Antonio and Shylock both are well off and successful businessmen. Antonio, being a man who is treats everyone nicely, lends his good name to Bassanio to woo Portia. Shylock on the other hand, could never do that and is a very greedy man who asks for three times the value of the loan. Also, Antonio is a risk taker and thinks things will always go the right way for him and his success will continue, which is shown when he accepts the high interest rate and the bizarre payment if the money isn’t received. Shylock handles his business straightforward and charges interest because it is his job, although being a very high amount and if it isn’t carried out, Shylock gets his payment of one pound of flesh. Shylock is depicted as the greedy businessman while Antonio is the nice man who tries his luck.