Evan Weinstein
Ms. Stoller
Due: Feb 26th, 2014
Shylock, in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, epitomizes emotion unrestricted by moral character or intellectual rationality. Shylocks' conversation at the beginning of act four, scene one clearly demonstrates this as the Duke and Antonio urge Shylock to use both his empathetic and rational abilities. Shylock’s humanity, a trait which would normally allow him to feel empathy, is doubted by Antonio who describes Shylock as. By calling him "stony" and "inhuman" and "empty," Antonio draws attention to Shylock’s clear lack of empathy and humanity, and furthermore, suggests that Shylock is deeply and inherently evil, describing him as something monstrous or animalistic.
The Duke then tries to change the tone of the conversation by appealing to the small amount of humanity that Shylock has left. His words are in stark contrast to the true nature of Shylock. The Duke makes a desperate plea by saying. But his belief lacks a sense of reality, as Shylock has repeatedly suggested that he wants nothing more than a pound of Antonio’s flesh, and has also never shown any sign of mercy or forgiveness. In this speech, the Duke tries relentlessly to persuade Shylock himself that these feelings do in fact exist, and Shylock should, therefore, act reasonably in his decision of whether or not to seek the proper forfeiture of his bond. The Duke also asks Shylock to step out of the stereotype of the alienated Jew. He begs: Shylock’s response to this request falls directly in line with Antonio’s notion of his character. Shylock states:. In asking for his “due,” Shylock implies that there is justice to be handed down here, not realizing or not caring about the clear injustice of taking a bout of...
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...Shylock does make a realization that his actions lack justification, but he is quick to say he does not have to explain them.
His final works contain a certain resolve, despite a lack of reason. His inhuman nature persists and he fully intends to take a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
The words again are emblematic of Shylock’s disposition towards emotion and hatred. He does not act rationally, and in some sense, does not act like a person. Shylock’s words distance himself from the rest of humanity continues his ostracism by acting so emotionally. Shylock is a creature without morals or decency; a creature that acts only based on emotion and impulse. His tendencies are villainous and evil, and his rejection of reality makes him the ultimate villain. He knows what he is doing is wrong, but still fights on in the hopes of following through with his terrible plans.
Shylock’s characterial flaws prompt an chain reaction of deprivations, as they ultimately all contribute to his ruination. For instance, Shylock’s lack of mercy deprives him of all Judaism associations, as this lack
Throughout the play, Shylock was often reduced to something other than Human. In many cases, even the simple title of "Jew" was stripped away, and Shylock was not a man, but an animal. For example, Gratiano curses Shylock with "O, be thou damned, inexecrable dog!" (IV, i, 128) whose "currish spirit govern'd a wolf" (IV, i, 133-134) and whose "desires are wolvish, bloody, starved, and ravenous" (IV, i, 137-138). Or when Shylock is neither a man nor an animal, he becomes "a stony adversary, inhuman wretch" (IV, i, 4-5). When the Christians applied these labels to Shylock, they effectively stripped him of his humanity, of his religious identity; he was reduced to something other than human.
Shylock is one of the more evil characters, who shows no mercy and is robbed of his possessions for these deeds. Shylock is not merciful towards Antonio’s situation and he does not care for his life. When Shylock is about to take a pound of flesh from Antonio, Portia asks for a doctor to help Antonio with his wound. All Shylock can say about this is, “I cannot find it; ‘tis not in the bond.'; (IV i 260). He does not care for Antonio’s life. Not only does Shylock hate Antonio, but he also hates all Christians. He shows this when he says, “I hate him for he is Christian';(I iii 39). He is almost basing his whole dislike for Antonio on his religion. Shylock’s cruelty causes him to be punished. Portia tells him, “Thou hast contrived against the very life / Of the defendant; and thou hast incurred / The danger formally by me rehearsed';(IV i 358). Shylock’s cruelty towards Antonio and his prejudice against Christians results in his punishment by the law.
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.
with how Shylock treats him since he calls Shylock “a kind of devil” and also
the play, we hear of how Shylock has been treated and we start to feel
...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.
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.
Although Antonio and Shylock share the same goal of justice, they are both fueled by different motives. Antonio’s quest for justice is fueled by anti Semitism and his built up hate for his arch enemy, Shylock the Jew. Throughout the play, Antonio is continuously cursing and spitting on Shylock, showing his distaste for the “Jew’s” actions. Being Christian, Antonio also does not agree with Shylock’s profession as a interest taking money loaner. Shylock’s goal of justice is fueled solely by revenge. After years of Antonio treating him very poorly and taking his business by not charging interest, Shylock is fed up with Antonio’s actions. The forfeiture of the bond is the perfect opportunity for Shylock to enact his revenge against Antonio, which is justified by all the years of anguish he has had to survive through. After hearing of his daughters spending spree, Shylock says “Out upon her!”(101) meaning curses on her. Shakespeare uses this particular wording ironically because of Jessica’s recent departure from Shylocks life. Antonio losing his ship just adds to his appetite for justice and revenge. The combination of these events drives Shylock ...
...is as cunning as Shylock and, like him she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her way. Shylock is not liked and it’s easier to see him as a manipulative character “An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart. Oh, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!” (I, iii, 97-100). He puts up a show for Antonio by generously offering to lend him money without interest, instead suggesting a flesh bond or basically death. Shylock hatred for Christians has driven him to want to kill Antonio.
Portia then goes onto speak about why Shylock could show mercy and for what reason but with0out pressuring him into this act. He declines the offer. He states that he "Shylock: . . . I crave the law
This is where Shakespeare evokes our sympathy, by making us realise how Shylock has suffered because of the prejudices of the Christians around him. He explains his motives for revenge in a rational way, showing how his actions are no different from the Christians'. Look carefully at the language he uses, as well as the insulting and mocking language used by the other two. At the end of the scene, Shylock mourns the loss of his daughter, although our feelings towards him are a bit mixed, for he seems to care more about the money. He does give evidence, however, of his love for his wife, which again, creates sympathy.
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
In one part of the play Shylock shows a side to him we have never seen before. Instead if seeing him as the man who is greedy and
During the discussion of the bond, Shylock says to Antonio “ I would be friends with you and have your love” and “this kindness will I show”. He pretends to be Antonio’s friend, but he has an ulterior motive, which is to take a pound of Antonio’s flesh from whatever part of his body he pleases. The underlying meaning is to kill him, and thus, although Shylock seems good-hearted, he is in truth, harbouring deceit. Shylock is manipulative and crafty as he tries to put up a show to deceive Antonio. He sounds generous about offering the three thousand ducats without “usance for my moneys”, thus winning Antonio’s trust. This was done to divert Antonio’s attention from his actual intentions. However, Shylock proposes a flesh bond as a “merry sport”, in substitution for not charging interest. The bond, although an unusual forfeit, is a serious matter, because Antonio may be killed from accepting its terms and conditions. Shylock is a brilliant strategist, and even the perceptive businessman, Antonio, has fallen for it. Shylock is a vindictive and unforgiving man, whose hatred for Christians has driven him to want to kill Antonio. We know that Shylock has suffered emotionally and physically because of how Antonio has kicked, spat and rated him many a times. Thus he deserves some of our pity, as taking revenge on your enemy is only natural.