The Presentation of Shylock and Antonio as Conflicting Opposites in The Merchant of Venice

The Presentation of Shylock and Antonio as Conflicting Opposites in The Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare personifies the juxtaposed themes of this play; justice

and mercy, forgiveness and revenge. He contrasts characters of Shylock

and Antonio to represent these key ideas. Shakespeare’s character

representations of these themes certify that they are constantly

played out against each other throughout the play. The play presents

anti-semitic ideas, depicting Shylock, a Jew, as evil and Antonio, a

Christian, as good. Stereotyping in this play is used to portray

Shylock as malicious, selfish and hateful man who only cares about

money. Antonio, on the other hand, is portrayed as the ‘perfect

Christian’; merciful and kind.

Shylock only appears in a couple of scenes in the play, but the

audience can gather an opinion of him by the way the other characters

on stage talk about him. Shylock appears to be disliked by those who

are closest to him, for example his daughter, Jessica (in act 2). This

is one of the reasons the audience see him as the evil character. On

the other hand, Antonio appears to the audience as a very merciful

man. When he does not appear in a scene, those closest to him talk

about him highly emphasising his good features, this makes Antonio

appear in a better light than Shylock. Every time Shylock is talked

about or seen by the Elizabethan audience in a bad manner,

consequently, Antonio’s good qualities are emphasised. This backs up

the idea that the portrayal of Antonio and Shylock works on the ‘idea

of scales’. As one side goes up the other side goes down: Every time

Antonio is seen in a heroic, generous or kind light, Sh...

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... Venice do,” This shows Antonio’s generosity, and also

further supports the fact that he has taken on a father like role in

his and Bassanio’s relationship.

As Antonio appears in such a positive light in his first appearance,

Shylock will be instantly compared to him when he appears. He is

Antonio’s rival, who expresses hate for him, and therefore appear in a

negative light due to this. Antonio is shown to have lots of

companions who all care for him and display affection; he is always

surrounded by some of his friends in the scene. This fact helps

demonstrate how Antonio is a good-natured and caring man. This is done

via what people think of him and how they are willing to help him. It

shows the audience that as he is surrounded by so many compassionate

friends that he must too be a caring and loving friend to them.