Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay

Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice A key feature of the play The Merchant Of Venice is the issue of whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. This issue is raised at many crucial points most of which can be separated into the categories victim or villain. Act 1 Scene 3 displays Shylock as a sensible business man. This is our first introduction of Shylock and therefore produces our first impressions. The first point where Shylocks character is revealed in detail is during his soliloquy of lines 37 - 48. At this point Shylock gives an aside to the audience which no character can hear. We learn a lot about Shylocks behaviour toward Antonio and Christians in general. This†¦show more content†¦The next turn of events is during lines 102-123 we begin to feel sympathy for Shylock. The reasons for his villainous attitude toward Antonio become clear. We learn of the treatment imposed on Shylock by Antonio, the text says, spit upon my Jewish gabardine we begin to empathise with Shylock and we see him as a victim to Christian prejudice. When we realise the poor treatment of Shylock by Antonio we are greeted of a speech by Antonios. To our surprise, Antonio does not apologies for his actions, instead saying he is likely to repeat his actions, the text says; I am as like to call thee so again The fact that Antonio is asking for a favour and remains treating Shylock so badly makes us feel more sympathy for Shylock and he is displayed as a victim. Act 1 scene 3 is an interesting one when considering the issue of whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. There are many features which show his villainy but this is alternated by the times that are shown as a victim. Overall the effect on the audience would be a strong one, we would focus on the poor treatment of Shylock and feel sorry for him. Therefore he is a victim. There are many points of the play where other characters comment on their feelings toward Shylock. Most notable are the three mentioned below; During act 2 scene 2 Lancelot is deciding whether he will stay with his masterShow MoreRelatedShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1401 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The play begins in Venice where the wealthy merchant Antonio is talking to his young friends about the reasons for the depression. Antonio claims not to understand himself his sad nature. Bassanio arrives with the news that he wishes to court a wealthy, beautiful heiress named Portia. In order to present himself to Portia he wants to borrow 3000 ducats. Bassanio is in terrible debt and he sees marriage to PortiaRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1694 Words   |  7 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Introduction One of the most interesting and dramatic characters in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is the rich, despised money-lending Jew Shylock. It is impossible to judge Shylock’s character by our own modern Standards, simple because Shakespeare wrote this play for play goers in Elizabethan times. This was very different to modern times for two reasons. Firstly, people watching the play would not find itRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1385 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Through time there have been many successful individuals in literature writers, poets, and play writers. But many would argue that one individuals work and character has stood out from the rest and this special illustrious person being William Shakespeare. In the many dramatic pieces of theatrical production written and the diverse individuality he ahs been able to write about many characters created through greatRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay1128 Words   |  5 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice I am a Jew a famous saying from Shylock in Merchant of Venice that clarifies the merchant brotherhood of a wealthy city. Merchant of Venice contains rascals and heroes. The audiences will soon realise that Shylock, the Jewish money lender, is shown as a villain within the wealthy city. Is this really what Shakespeare had intended? This testimony given proposes that Shylock is more of a deceitful character Read MoreEssay Shylock of William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice781 Words   |  4 PagesShylock of William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Shylock is one of the main characters in Shakespeares play The Merchant of Venice, he starts in the play as an outcast of society because he is Jewish. Shylock has been forced to become a banker in his life as an inhabitant of Venice, for the fact that his religion is seen as wrong. Although Shylock is forced to become a banker he plays a vital role in the city of Venice, without Shylock the city would struggleRead MoreEssay on Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1877 Words   |  8 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice, a tragic- comedy written in the late 16th century by the greatest known English author, William Shakespeare. This is a tale set in the heart of Venice, amongst the Venetian Christians and Jews. The history of the Jews is marked by terrible hardship and atrocities; Jewish people kept up their customs and religion formed tight knit communities and became known for their intelligent hard workRead MoreCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1893 Words   |  8 PagesCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The ‘Merchant of Venice’ was written at a time when there was great prejudice towards the Jewish race. They were known for their intelligence, hard work and business acumen, which later led them to be mistreated and resented. They were made to wear distinctive clothing in order to be identified, and citizens of Venice could treat Jews in any way they wished. The Christian church also taught that JewsRead MoreEssay Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice2094 Words   |  9 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice By the end of Act 4 scene 1, my view of Shylock is a man who wishes to get revenge at society by trying to take the flesh of a Venetian merchant because of the prejudices that are thrown at him. Shylock is a rich Jewish moneylender and a widow whose daughter has eloped with a Christian, Lancelot. Shylock is treated with the lowest kind of integrity and respect in Venice this was normal for Jews in the VictorianRead MoreSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1596 Words   |  7 PagesSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In the Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare creates an atmosphere throughout the play, which causes the audience to sympathize with Shylock. Shakespeare uses key events, and dialogue to influence the audience. At the time Shakespeare wrote his plays, and they were performed, the contemporary audience would have mainly consisted of Christians. Jews were often persecuted, as they were the minority.Read MoreShylock as the Villain in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1948 Words   |  8 PagesShylock as the Villain in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice in about 1597. It was first performed by The Chamberlains Men at the Theatre Shoreditch. The Merchant of Venice was in the repertory of Shakespeares company before they took up residence at the Globe in 1599. The play was written as a comedy, but has become a serious drama. In order to answer the question it is vital to look at the pervading Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In the productions of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ the character Shylock seems to be the most important throughout the play. However, he can be played in different ways. He can be portrayed as a victim or a villain. Even during a single production the audience’s sympathies change towards him. Shylock can be seen as villain in many ways. One of these is his desire for revenge on Antonio. Shylock doesn’t like him because he is racist towards him and has disrespected him for a long time. Therefore when Bassanio asks him whether he will lend Antonio money Shylock keeps him waiting before he gives him an answer so he can think about the risks†¦show more content†¦He also says, â€Å"If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge,† he is referring to the bond and how he is using that as a way of revenge. However Antonio was rather cruel for all those years to him but the revenge Shylock had planned was very extreme. Asking for a pound of his flesh may have started off as a joke but still wanting to cut off his flesh even after being offered three times the original agreement, this proved how much Shylock really wanted Antonio hurt. Choosing a pound of his flesh over money says a lot, as Shylock is very fond of money but is obviously fonder of the possibility of seeing Antonio dead. Furthermore Shylock’s attitude towards money shows him as more of a villain. Money is such an important detail in his life and would be very upset if he were to lose it, as he was. When Jessica fled she took his money and jewels. When she did it was as if he was more upset over losing his money than his daughter. After he found out about his daughter who had left with his money he shouted out on the streets, â€Å"My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! Justice! the law! My ducats and my daughter! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter! And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones,† Shylock’sShow MoreRelatedShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1401 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The play begins in Venice where the wealthy merchant Antonio is talking to his young friends about the reasons for the depression. Antonio claims not to understand himself his sad nature. Bassanio arrives with the news that he wishes to court a wealthy, beautiful heiress named Portia. In order to present himself to Portia he wants to borrow 3000 ducats. Bassanio is in terrible debt and he sees marriage to PortiaRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1694 Words   |  7 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Introduction One of the most interesting and dramatic characters in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is the rich, despised money-lending Jew Shylock. It is impossible to judge Shylock’s character by our own modern Standards, simple because Shakespeare wrote this play for play goers in Elizabethan times. This was very different to modern times for two reasons. Firstly, people watching the play would not find itRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1385 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Through time there have been many successful individuals in literature writers, poets, and play writers. But many would argue that one individuals work and character has stood out from the rest and this special illustrious person being William Shakespeare. In the many dramatic pieces of theatrical production written and the diverse individuality he ahs been able to write about many characters created through greatRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay1128 Words   |  5 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice I am a Jew a famous saying from Shylock in Merchant of Venice that clarifies the merchant brotherhood of a wealthy city. Merchant of Venice contains rascals and heroes. The audiences will soon realise that Shylock, the Jewish money lender, is shown as a villain within the wealthy city. Is this really what Shakespeare had intended? This testimony given proposes that Shylock is more of a deceitful character Read MoreEssay Shylock of William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice781 Words   |  4 PagesShylock of William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Shylock is one of the main characters in Shakespeares play The Merchant of Venice, he starts in the play as an outcast of society because he is Jewish. Shylock has been forced to become a banker in his life as an inhabitant of Venice, for the fact that his religion is seen as wrong. Although Shylock is forced to become a banker he plays a vital role in the city of Venice, without Shylock the city would struggleRead MoreEssay on Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1877 Words   |  8 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice, a tragic- comedy written in the late 16th century by the greatest known English author, William Shakespeare. This is a tale set in the heart of Venice, amongst the Venetian Christians and Jews. The history of the Jews is marked by terrible hardship and atrocities; Jewish people kept up their customs and religion formed tight knit communities and became known for their intelligent hard workRead MoreCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1893 Words   |  8 PagesCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The ‘Merchant of Venice’ was written at a time when there was great prejudice towards the Jewish race. They were known for their intelligence, hard work and business acumen, which later led them to be mistreated and resented. They were made to wear distinctive clothing in order to be identified, and citizens of Venice could treat Jews in any way they wished. The Christian church also taught that JewsRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay1158 Words   |  5 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice A key feature of the play The Merchant Of Venice is the issue of whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. This issue is raised at many crucial points most of which can be separated into the categories victim or villain. Act 1 Scene 3 displays Shylock as a sensible business man. This is our first introduction of Shylock and therefore produces our first impressions. The first point where Shylocks character isRead MoreEssay Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice2094 Words   |  9 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice By the end of Act 4 scene 1, my view of Shylock is a man who wishes to get revenge at society by trying to take the flesh of a Venetian merchant because of the prejudices that are thrown at him. Shylock is a rich Jewish moneylender and a widow whose daughter has eloped with a Christian, Lancelot. Shylock is treated with the lowest kind of integrity and respect in Venice this was normal for Jews in the VictorianRead MoreSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1596 Words   |  7 PagesSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In the Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare creates an atmosphere throughout the play, which causes the audience to sympathize with Shylock. Shakespeare uses key events, and dialogue to influence the audience. At the time Shakespeare wrote his plays, and they were performed, the contemporary audience would have mainly consisted of Christians. Jews were often persecuted, as they were the minority.