Tzivia Itzkowitz
Ms. Burstein
English
February 2, 2018
“Hath not Jew eyes?”
In the play, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, Shylock gives his famous speech, “Hath not a Jew eyes?” One of the reasons the speech is so well known is because the play is famous for its prejudice against Jews, which was prevalent at that time. Another reason why Shylock's controversial soliloquy is famous is because it deals with his reactions to, and feelings about, the anti-semitism in the play. Shylock begins the play in a hateful manner and, in the moment of his speech, wants to show that he can be an equal to the Christians. This is what he tries to prove in his speech to the Christians. He does this when he says that Jews are the same, by saying
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“Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs...” (III, I. 57- 59) He first mentions the eyes. The eyes are the first physical part of a person's body because the eyes are the first thing someone sees when they look at a person. Then, Shylock mentions hands and organs. Hands are a physical trait that one can see and the organs are physical features, but they are on the inside. By saying these physical traits, Shylock shares how, even though they have different gods, their gods made both Christians and Jews the same on the inside and the …show more content…
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 is angry when he says, “Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction” (III, i. 68 - 72) Shylock wants to take revenge on Antonio because Antonio steals a lot of money lending opportunities by not charging interest to fellow Christians. Another reason is, that the Jews in Venice were isolated and were not acknowledged as Jewish people, “It is enacted in the laws of Venice, if it be prov’d against an alien.” (IV, i. 363- 364) but seen and treated as aliens, proven by Portia in the
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.
While engendering the bond in the inciting force of the play, Antonio says to Shylock – the antagonist – “Content in faith. I’ll seal to such a bond, / And say there is much kindness in the Jew” (1.3.149-150) which reveals how Antonio sees such positive terms in the deal. Although the terms may seem simples to follow, Antonio will still face the consequences of putting his life on the line for his dear friend, Bassanio. This bond portion of the play establishes relationships through the rivals and also gives background information about characters, which show the elements of dramatic significance. Subsequently, Shylock’s possessions are at stake during their trial after Antonio fails to pay him back because his argosies were abolished. Shylock’s punishment for attempting to
Shakespeare creates a caricature of a Jew, just as he might have seen done by Christopher Marlowe in "The Jew of Malta". Shakespeare's "Shylock" was easily recognisable as a Jew, wearing traditional clothing, immediately showing the audience that he is different. The money lending profession adds to the Jewish look, and the way he acts, without even a care for his own daughter, making references to his desire for Christian blood, allows Shakespeare's audience to create a strong hatred for the Jew. Although nobody had actually met a Jew, probably the entire audience had been brought up to despise such an awful religion, hearing terrible tales of sin and misery.
You have among you many a purchased slave, which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts because you bought them.....You will answer “The slaves are ours!” So do I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought; tis mine and I will have it.” (Act 4 Scene 1, Lines 90-101) Here in this quote, it is clearly stated that Shylock believes Christians are allowed to buy slaves and own them within the law. Justice would mean that by his bond with Antonio, Shylock owns a piece of Antonio’s flesh. Therefore, legally and justly, Shylock technically owns Antonio’s flesh.As for mercy, the character that this comes from is Portia. Portia in defining mercy, says this: The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. Upon the place beneath.....The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread of fear of kings; it is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice.” (Act 4 Scene 1 Lines 190-202) Portia is talking about how even high kings and gods would have mercy deep in their hearts, while Shylock doesn’t. Portia
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.
Some of the audiences in the 16th century, believed that Jews were at a lower stage than them, and they only believed this because the Jews were a different (“different” referred to as “wrong “for Christians who lived in the 16th century), religion they believed they were not people, like them. The play Merchant of Venice shows the evil side of the Jews. The character’s name is “Shylock”. He is the character of evil doing; he is also the character that Shakespeare chose to represent a Jewish character. As a Jew, he represents the race as being wicked, evil etc.
Discrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is clearly evidenced 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 impeccably of that distinction.
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.
During the sixteenth-century there was a very prominent existence of anti-semitism. The English audience had a very clear prejudice towards the Jewish people because of the deep-rooted concept of anti-semitism. This mindset carried from everyday life to plays and productions of the time. This ill will towards the Jewish people spawned from political and religious disputes that were unresolved. The portrayal of Shylock as a villainous Jew is a logical move for the sixteenth-century playwrights because of this common belief. When walking into a production of The Merchant of Venice during this ear, one must keep in mind the predisposition towards the Jewish people as well as the cultural beliefs at that time.
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...
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
If Shylock shows mercy to Jessica by accepting the fact that she is marrying a Christian then he would still have his daughter and riches. Another example of revenge backfiring is when Shylock faced consequences for attempting to cut off a pound of flesh from Antonio. Shylock's thirst for revenge on Antonio develops because the merchant insults, spits on, and kicks Shylock. This leads Shylock into creating the bond with Antonio in an attempt to get back on him. This attempt fails causing Shylock to lose more ducats and to convert to a religion he hates and does not believe in.
Shylock is someone all humans can relate to, he is just a man who was wronged and got carried away in rage. This happens all too often in society, people get carried away and forget about mercy. Another example of good character interpretation is that of Launcelot. The presentation and aura of his character is drastically different from one version to the other. “Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master” is one line that was interpreted two very different ways (2.2.1-2).
The first theme is that religious intolerance and prejudice play destructive roles in the book. Even to this day, there is racism and prejudice in schools about race and religion. Antonio, as a true Christian, has often condemned moneylenders. He knows that since the early twelfth century, Christians are forbidden by the Church to lend money for profit. Shylock, as a Jew, does not consider his money-lending and overwhelming interest to be a sin in any manner. In fact, he considers his earnings through money lending as the gift of God. He appeals to and quotes the Scriptures in defense of his profession. Shylock and the other Jewish moneylenders are essential to the prosperity of the merchant community, but they are also outcasts as human beings and as Jews. Shylock often shows his dislike to the Christians; “I hate him for he is a Christian”, (Act I, Sc. III, L. 38). The Christians ridicule and hate the Jewish moneylende...
In particular, Antonio is described as a wonderful, kind, and benevolent person. Shylock receives a different side of him, claiming, “You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog / And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine” (I.i.109-110). Antonio, the man who is supposed to be, “kind quote” (kind quote), treats Shylock as if he’s not even a person. In 16th century Venice, anti-semitic views like Antonio’s were fairly common, but Shylock’s later monologue criticizes this discrimination and the audience begins to empathize with him. *lead in to quote* “He hath disgraced me and / hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, / mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted / my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine / enemies—and what’s his reason?