Sympathy for Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Sympathy for Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Shylock shows an almost double sided character, he appears to be a

villain some times and then a victim at others. Although with this in

mind I have come to believe that he is really a true villain that has

only a few good attributes compared to many more evil ones. Shylock in

the majority of the play is trying to find a way in which he can seek

his revenge on Christians in particular Antonio to whom some of his

first words are directed;

"If I can catch him once upon the hip,

I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him,"

By this he means that if he just gets one opportunity then he will

make his hated enemy, Antonio, suffer. But Shylock is also persecuted

constantly. For he is variously referred to as: Cut-throat dog, bloody

creditor, inhuman wretch and cruel devil. This makes the audience feel

that Shylocks malice and evil is forced upon him by the abuse he

receives. So it would not be fair to say that he was totally evil as

there are points in the play that Shakespeare wants to make us

sympathise with him;

"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If

you poison us do we not die?"

This speech is where Shylock tries to show that it is unfair to treat

the Jews in such bad ways as after all they are human too. Throughout

the play Shylock and the Jews are spat on by Antonio and the

Christians, who express true prejudice. Shylock is kicked and called a

cur, dog, on many occasions.

I feel that the evidence to suggest he is evil is much greater than

the evidence which supports the concept that he is a victim. There are

many incidents to show that he is a villain. Shakespeare tries to show

the audience Shylock's spite and hatred for Antonio. He tries to show

us how Shylock is a villain.