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... ... middle of paper ... ...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.
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.
People who seek vengeance are often driven blindly by flaws within their character. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare illustrates this underlying attribute. A casual reading of this play may suggest that Shylock’s act of vengeance was what had led to his downfall, yet a closer reading indicates that it was because of his underlying characterial flaw of hubris and the lack of mercy that had led to his ultimate end.
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
...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.
At the end of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock has been both a victim and a villain. He is a victim of his religion, and a victim of his greed and overwhelming need for revenge. Shylock is definitely the most villainous character in the play, and only a few elements can show him as a victim overall, even then, his victimisation only seems to be a consequence of his own actions. His daughter running away, because of her treatment, and apparent lack of love. The taking of his assets, because he would show no mercy towards Antonio. The final conclusion must be that Shylock is unreasonable, spiteful, heinous, greedy - and a villain.
Shakespeare makes Antonio appear to be innocent even though he is the villain in the The Merchant of Venice. Both Antonio and Shylock have barbaric concepts of justice and revenge but Antonio’s idea is much more inhumane. Shylock is fighting for a considerable nobler cause than Antonio is: Shylock is fighting for his people, the revenge of the Jew’s against the Christians. Shylock is victim to Antonio’s twisted idea of what justice means.
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
“I am a jew?”-Shylock the merchant. The Merchant of venice is a play from William Shakespeare, in which a merchant called Antonio gets a loan from Shylock to pay for Bassanio's trip. Through a string of unfortunate events lead to a angry Shylock nearly killing Antonio, but that is narrowly averted. Shylock in the play “The Merchant of Venice” can be seen as a victim due to the hostile prejudice towards his kind, unfair treatment of him, and the random events that cause him misery.
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
Shylock is shown to be hard working (Goddard 5). Believe it or not, there is some compassion for the desecration of the Jews in Shakespeare's play. Antonio recognizes the futility of opposing Shylock's passion with reason. "He seems the depository of the vengeance of his race" (Goddard 11). Antonio consequently appears as a charitable Christian who lends money freely, in contrast to the miserly and extortionist Shylock, who preys upon the hardship of others in order to further, increase his own material wealth.
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
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.
At the end of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock has been both a victim and a villain. He is a victim of his religion, and a victim of his greed and overwhelming need for revenge. Shylock is definitely the most villainous character in the play, and only a few elements can show him as a victim overall, even then, his victimisation only seems to be a consequence of his own actions. His daughter running away, because of her treatment, and apparent lack of love. The taking of his assets, because he would show no mercy towards Antonio. The final conclusion must be that Shylock is unreasonable, spiteful, heinous, greedy - and a villain.