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. His personal traits and beliefs evoke complex
emotions. We cannot decide whether Shylock is an unforgiving, menacing
character or is in actual fact in the right and extremely hard done
by. Consequently, I propose to discuss the view that Shylock is as
much sinned as sinning.
When his daughter lies and steals from him Shylock is seen as a poor
and sinned against character. His daughter, Jessica, falls in love
with a Christian and plans to elope. Strong religious prejudices are
established at this point in the play. In order to elope, Jessica
steals from her father by conning him. Dramatic irony is used in this
scene. The audience and Jessica are aware, that as soon as Shylock
leaves Jessica alone in his house she will steal from him. However,
Shylock is not aware of this. Shylock is deeply grieved at his loss of
money and his daughter. Shylock's own daughter running away and
stealing from him contributes to the mockery that Shylock suffers from
the other characters in the play.
"Solanio: As the dog Jew did utter in the street:
...
... middle of paper ...
...lock as he had treated
Bassanio and all present in court.
"Shylock: I take this offer then; pay thrice the bond and let the
Christian
go.
Portia: He shall have nothing but the penalty".
Shylock learns the error of his ways by leaving court penniless,
homeless and stripped of his religion. Although Shylock appears to
have suffered, his suffering is a result of the sins that he committed
and an example of how Shylock is more sinning than sinned.
From the evidence present it is clear that Shylock, although a very
complex character, had many bad traits. However it is also apparent
that for these mean characteristics, Shylock had just cause. Shylock
offers no kindness towards fellowman and in return is treated with the
disrespect he deserves. In conclusion, Shylock is as much sinned
against as sinning.
The Christians also labeled Shylock as explicitly equated with the Devil, which in a primarily Christian society left Shylock as the other. For example, in (II, ii, 24-28), Launcelot Gobbo identifies Shylock as "a kind of devil", "the devil himself", and "the very devil incarnation." Shylocks own daughter compared Shylock's house to "hell" (II, iii, 2). Salanio identifies Shylock as "the devil...in the likeness of a Jew" (III, i, 19-21) and Bassanio echoes this sentiment by identifying Shylock as a "cruel devil" (IV, i, 217). Antonio further cements the association between Shylock and the devil by noting how Shylock's arguments remind him how "The devil can cite scripture for his purpose" (I, iii, 97-100).
When the play was written the audience would have immediately disliked Shylock on the basis of his religion and occupation, however nowadays when religious prejudice is not nearly as strong we still find him an unpleasant character. One of the main things which makes him seem unpleasant is his greed and love of money. His first words are actually “Three thousand ducats; well”, perhaps a method of Shakespeare’s to show the audience immediately what is most important to Shylock. Later on in the first scene, when Antonio enters to talk to him about lending Bassanio money Shylock says to himself;
The Merchant of Venice is a play set in a very male and Christian dominated society where other religions and women rights weren’t very well accepted by the community. However Portia, a rich woman who had previously been controlled by men, triumphs as she manipulates tricks and saves the lives of the men.
...killful 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 belief – they will be one step closer to living in a civil society.
William Shakespeare attained literary immortality through his exposition of the many qualities of human nature in his works. One such work, The Merchant of Venice, revolves around the very human trait of deception. Fakes and frauds have been persistent throughout history, even to this day. Evidence of deception is all around us, whether it is in the products we purchase or the sales clerks' false smile as one debates the purchase of the illusory merchandise. We are engulfed by phonies, pretenders, and cheaters. Although most often associated with a heart of malice, imposture varies in its motives as much as it's practitioners, demonstrated in The Merchant of Venice by the obdurate characters of Shylock and Portia.
Bassanio is very cautious and tries to make sure that Shylock understands exactly what he wants. conversation gives the impression that maybe they are working out. terms, though not in the same way that Shylock and Antonio did later. Shylock states Antonio is a good man. Bassanio instantly thinks he is insulting Antonio.
The way that Shylock is portrayed in the play is also a good indication of the feelings towards him. Shylock is portrayed as miserly and selfish. This is shown by his attitude towards his daughter Jessica especially when he finds out that has stolen his money.
Shylock lends Antonio a sum of money, that Antonio intends to pay back when his merchant ships arrive in Venice, one month before the debt would be forfeited. When Bassanio arranges the sum of money, Shylock befriends him, only to stand aside and utter to him self, "I hate him for he is a Christian... If I catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him," Act 1, Scene 3. Shortly after saying, "But ships are but boards, sailors but men... the perils of waters, winds, and rocks...Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond." Shylock is setting his trap here. Shylocks terms of the agreement are a pound of Antonios flesh from closets his heart, if it be forfeited.
He tries to forfeit the bond by saying “thou wilt not take his flesh! What's it good for?” (III, i. 50- 51) Shylock's whole speech is to try and convince Antonio that he will be insistent and fight for the pound of flesh, that is owed to him. Shylock is determined to take revenge on the Christians for all the times the Christians have wronged him and all Jews, just because of their religion.
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.
Due to religious and commercial conflict, Shylock and Antonio hate each other. Shylock holds a grudge against Antonio. When Bassanio has to borrow money on Antonio’s credit, Shylock acknowledges that Antonio is financially sound. However, he also sees the risks involved in Antonio’s overseas business. He requests to speak with Antonio, but maliciously refuses Bassanio’s invitation to dine with them. His resentment of Christians is deep; he will do business with them, but little else. Once they meet, Shylock bitterly recounts Antonio’s cruelty. Antonio limits his business by lending money interest-free; he even verbally abuses him in front of other merchants. Because Shylock is unable to openly defend himself against Antonio in a Christian society, his anger evolves into hatred. He sees the loan as an opportunity to ruin Antonio. Shylock takes advantage of Antonio’s confidence in his overseas business by demanding that he sign an unusual bond- if the loan is not repaid on time, Shylock can cut off one pound of Antonio’s flesh as forfeiture. When Bassanio protests, Shylock insists that the bond is a joke. Under this guise of amity, Shylock manipulates Antonio’s life into his hands, revealing the true extent of his hatred.
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). All of the characters are defined by Shylock. Launcelot Gobbo, Shylock’s servant, treats his father disrespectfully, but this disdain is not ill-received by the audience; like the other examples of inequity, Launcelot’s apathetic attitude toward his near-blind father is inexplicably tolerated by past and contemporary society (Picker). Launcelot’s contempt is generally assumed to be a result of his underprivileged upbringing, if it is noted at all.
Shylock has the reader's sympathy. Still, their desire for revenge ruins them in the end. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The. The Merchant of Venice. 1967.
She demands to pay twice or even three times the amount owed, for she loves Bassanio and anyone he calls friend. Shakespeare shows here that money doesn’t have the same effect on love as it does with the caskets or with the evil in Shylock and that it can be used for good love in Portia’s donation. In Venice Bassanio brings fourth the 6000 ducats to repay Shylock, but he doesn’t accept it. Once Portia, disguised as the doctor, entered the court, she pleads with Shylock to show mercy, but he refuses. Shylock makes known that he would rather have law than his money and mercy. The doctor approves the pound of flesh to be taken from Antonio under the condition that Shylock must cut exactly one pound while shedding no blood, or he will lose all his lands and goods. Now faced with the impossible, Shylock requests that he take his 6000 ducats and let Antonio go. However, the doctor has already made the call and demands Shylock take the flesh or he will suffer death. Shylock has been so adamant that the law be upheld, but now that it has turned in loves favor, he becomes the victim. Venetian law states that any man who wrongfully attempts to take another man’s life will be subject to lose his own decided by the Duke and will lose all of his possessions. The Duke spares his life, but takes all his goods. Shylock cries out
Shylock lends Antonio a sum of money, that Antonio intends to pay back when his merchant ships arrive in Venice, one month before the debt would be forfeited. When Bassarnio arranges the sum of money, Shylock befriends them, only to stand aside and utter to him self, "I hate him for he is a Christian... If I catch him once upon the hip, I will feed my ancient grudge I bear him," Act 1, Scene 3. Shortly after saying, "But ships are but boards, sailors but men... the perils of waters, winds, and rocks...Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond." Shylock is setting his trap here. Shylocks terms of the debt are a pound of Antonios flesh from closets his heart if it be forfeited.