Shylock as a Villian or Victim in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

1511 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Is shylock a villain

Shylock as a Villian or Victim in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

The Merchant Of Venice is the story of Antonio, a merchant, borrowing

money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, in order to fund his best

friend Bassanio’s romantic ambitions. Like the majority of the

habitants of Venice, Antonio is Christian. At the time of the play,

the sixteenth century, there was a huge abhorrence against those who

were not Christian. As Antonio needed money quickly he had no

alternative to borrowing from Shylock; Jewish moneylenders made profit

from charging interests. Christians were resentful towards Jews as

they were very successful with their businesses. Christians were

prejudice because they didn’t want Jews to become wealthier in a

Christian country. Therefore Jews had to live in enclosed and

segregated areas called ghettos. This shows Shylock being victimised

in the play, as all Jews were back in the sixteenth century

Shylock first takes to the stage in Act I Scene iii. This scene shows

Bassanio seeking Shylock in order for him to ask to borrow money in

the name of Antonio. We learn of a mutual detestation between Shylock

and Antonio. Shylock confronts Antonio saying “In the Rialto you have

rated me about my moneys and my usances”. Shylock is saying that in

the Rialto, the trading centre of Venice, Antonio insulted him

publicly about his money and interests. Shylock continues saying

Antonio “spit upon my Jewish gaberdine!” This is clearly a sign of

contempt and very disrespectful to the whole of the Jewish race. These

two statements show Shylock being victimised purely because he is of

the Jewish faith.

Shylock, speakin...

... middle of paper ...

... the outcome of the trial.

In conclusion, Shylock is definitely intended to be William

Shakespeare’s villain. He is a vengeful character whose is vindictive

towards everyone else, in particular Antonio and Jessica, his own

daughter. However, Shylock is victimised by many unfairly. This is

mainly due to the fact that he is a Jew. Shylock possesses many

stereotypical characteristics for a villain, such as being evil and

vengeful but unlike most villains he does not step outside the law.

The only reason he wants to kill Antonio is because he could legally.

Through Shylock, Shakespeare explores the way in which the line

between the oppressed and the oppressor can become blurred. It seems

to me that when Shylock is villainous when becomes victimised; when

Shylock is shown as a victim it results in him becoming villainous.

Show More
Related

  • Response to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice by a Modern Audience

    1112 Words  | 3 Pages

    Then there is the innocent and rich “Antonio” (Merchant), who is a Christian, and is a complete Anti-Semitec. Antonio’s character is wrong, he hates Jews, he loves being regarded as rich, and would do anything to make Shylock’s life a misery. Antonio hates Jews; this is proved in Act 1 Scene 3 where Antonio says, “The Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind”, this is blatant racism shown against the Jews. The story progresses, a new character is introduced, Portia.

    Read More

  • Prejudice, Racism and Anti-Semitism in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

    2825 Words  | 6 Pages

    Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, there is a strong theme of prejudice. Portia has to deal with prejudice against her sex, the Prince of Morocco has to deal with prejudice against his race but the character that is most discriminated against is Shylock. He is hated for being a Jew and a money-lender, but Shakespeare has not made Shylock a character easy to sympathise with. He appears to be mean and cruel and it seems as though he loves money above all things. However during the play there are moments when Shakespeare gives Shylock speeches which show his humanity. In these moments, the audience is made to feel sorry for Shylock. Shakespeare has created a character that the audience’s feelings will change for by the minute.

    Read More

  • Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

    1119 Words  | 3 Pages

    This is shown by 'If it be proved against an alien' (Act 4 Scene 1

    Read More

  • Describing Shylock of William Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Act 1 Scene 3, we are first introduced to Shylock, we see him as

    Read More

  • Stereotypes and The Merchant of Venice

    1627 Words  | 4 Pages

    Everyone who reads The Merchant of Venice must bear in mind that it is, like any other literary work, a creation of a skillful writer, rising a case that can be a subject for many interpretations and not necessarily revealing a specific view of its writer, however it aims to convey a certain moral to the readers. Therefore, the character of shylock, being stereotyped or not, with its controversy is a tool manipulated to convey a moral message: when people live in a society that is open to cultural diversity and that values the contributions of all society members – regardless of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, race, life styles, and beliefs – they will be one step closer to living in a civil society. Works Cited 1) Encyclopaedia Britannica, the definition of "Anti-Semitism". 2) E. E. Stoll, Shylock (an essay in Shakespeare Studies, 1927). 3) John Palmer, Comic Characters of Shakespeare, Shylock. 4) John Palmer, Comic Characters of Shakespeare, Shylock.

    Read More

  • Anti Semitism In The Merchant Of Venice

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Merchant of Venice is a play that deals with an assortment of issues that range from politics to racial views of the Jewish people. An embodiment of these two issues can be best attributed to the character of Shylock. In a 2004 production of The Merchant of Venice, by Michael Radford, we see the character of Shylock is portrayed in a different light than that of Shakespeare's 1594 villainous Jew. Both productions pose a series of questions in comparison. An understanding of the era that these plays were written in and the audience’s perception of the production attribute greatly to a true analysis. Another aspect of these productions asks who Shylock was to Shakespeare and who he has developed into for Al Pacino and Michael Radford.

    Read More

  • Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

    907 Words  | 2 Pages

    hate him for he is a Christian” this is not a valid reason to hate

    Read More

  • Religion in The Merchant of Venice

    1944 Words  | 4 Pages

    Venice, where this drama takes place, is a largely religious Italian City. Although filled with spiritual people, the city is divided into two different religious groups. Venice was primarily and dominantly a Christian society with Jews as it’s unfairly treated minority. Stereotypes classified Jews as immoral, evil, and foolish people while the Christians were graceful, merciful, and loving. Representing the Christian belief is Antonio who is summoned to court by a Jew who goes by the name Shylock. The cross between Christianity and Judaism begins as Antonio and Shylock create a legally binding bond. The bond’s fine print expresses that if Antonio cannot fulfill his debt to Shylock, Shylock will receive a pound of Antonio’s flesh. As learned in the play, Antonio cannot repay his debt and Shylock publically exclaims his need to receive fulfillment of that bond. Hastily, Shylock is determined to obtain his pound of Christian flesh. Shakespeare provides his audience dist...

    Read More

  • Shylock Deserves Sympathy

    603 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shylock Deserves Sympathy Shylock is indeed a complex character and has the dimension of pain-he has suffered, still suffers and is one of a people who have suffered over centuries. However, to what extent should Shylock suffer and does he deserve our sympathy or hostility. Although anti-Semitism is totally unacceptable today, it was quite normal in Shakespeare's time. However, as he has done with other villains, Shakespeare actually plays around with his audience's preconceptions and makes Shylock an interesting, complex and sometimes likable character.

    Read More

  • Compare and Contrast - Stereotypes in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and Othello

    2067 Words  | 5 Pages

    In both of Shakespeare’s plays, "Othello" and "The Merchant of Venice", there are several instances in which the non-white and non-Christian characters are marginalized and are often the victims of prejudice and outright racism. This occurs in both "Merchant of Venice" and "Othello" particularly through the use and power of language and terms of reference. What is most fascinating about this seeming racism and bias against these characters, Othello and Shylock, is that they aren’t represented in either text as completely fitting the villainous or negative stereotypes other characters wish to put them in. Both Othello and Shylock are presented as sympathetic to varying degrees and although they posses several character flaws that some of the white and Christian characters wish to attribute to their race (Jewish as greedy and heartless and Moors as savage and barbarous) Shakespeare does not completely rely on these stereotypes to draw his characters of these two men. Although Shylock is indeed money-hungry, greedy, and oftentimes heartless, he is still portrayed sympathetically at points and his faults are not shown to be something associated with his race. Othello, most notably at the end of the play commits a savage act, but throughout the rest of the text, he is shown to be mild-mannered and exceptionally “civilized” as a general and aristocrat. This softening allows the characters to be represented as more rounded, but the fact still remains that racial bias and outright racism and prejudice are present in both texts.

    Read More

  • Discrimination in The Merchant of Venice

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    Discrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is evidenced clearly in Shylock, the Jewish usurer. He is treated with scorn and derision by all the characters. Shylock’s misfortunes stem not from poor attributes or even a poor background; it stems from the fact he is Jewish, and what is more, he is impenitent of that distinction. If he had been more daunted by Christian influence, he might have been forgiven, as Jessica is subjectively exonerated. He is not contrite and it is believed that his appalling birth cannot be absolved (Bonnell).

    Read More

  • Merchant Of Venice - Antonio And Shylock

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare shows how two tradesmen can have completely different lives when others view them differently in the play The Merchant of Venice. In the play, Bassanio, Antonio’s friend, needs money to pursue his love. They seek a loan from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Antonio’s name. The contract is for three times the value of the bond in three months or else Shylock cuts off a pound of flesh from Antonio. While all this is happening, there are love plots going on. One of which is for Shylock’s daughter to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian. Later on, Antonio’s source of money, his ship, is reported sunken in the English Channel, dooming him to the loss of one pound of his flesh. There is a trial on the bond, and when it seems sure that Antonio will die, Portia, disguised as a doctor of laws legally gets Antonio out of the situation and Shylock recieves harsh penalties. Antonio and Shylock, two similar businessmen of Venice, are viewed differently and are treated oppositely to heighten the drama of the play and mold a more interesting plot.

    Read More

  • Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and Othello: Shylock vs Iago

    2035 Words  | 5 Pages

    Shylock and Iago are two of the most interesting characters created by Shakespeare.  Their personalities and characteristics make them who they are.  These characters do have some similarities, on the other hand, are different as night and day.  Each one has a different motive for revenge, and also they both go about it in different ways.  Iago will stop at nothing.  Shylock has the reader's sympathy.  Still their desire for revenge ruins them in the end.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Love In Merchant Of Venice

    1366 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shylock is a wealthy Jew who invests money into shipments and trades. When Shylock’s enemy, Antonio, requests a loan of 3000 ducats, “Shylock adopts this Christian model of "kind" lending in his bond with Antonio as a means for lawful revenge.” Shylock’s agreement is that if the ducats are not returned, Antonio must repay his loan in human flesh. This is a way for Shylock to either make money or kill a Christian, either will satisfy him. Lee describes Shylock’s feelings towards Christians, “Indeed, although Shylock will neither "eat," "drink," nor "pray" with the Christians, he is willing to "buy" and "sell" with them.” This is where Shakespeare first introduces the devil inside Shylock. Had Antonio been a Jew, there would not have been a payment of flesh. Shylock’s hatred propels the story from start to finish. His hatred causes him to lose his daughter, drives Portia to use her money and wit to save Antonio, and why he ends up losing

    Read More

  • Is Shylock a Villain or a Victim?

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is difficult to say if Shylock is a complete villain or a victim, as his character is complex and ambiguous. However, it is difficult to view Shylock as anything other than a devious, bloodthirsty and heartless villain in the majority of the play. There are a few points in the story where he can be viewed as victimised, as most Jews were at that time, but Shakespeare has purposely portrayed Shylock as a stereotypical Jew, greedy, and obsessed with money. Shylock has been written to be very inflated and exaggerated. Even when Shylock makes his first appearance in the play, his first words are “Three thousand ducats,” Act 1, Scene 3.

    Read More

More about Shylock as a Villian or Victim in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Open Document