The Villainous Victim In Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice

577 Words2 Pages

The Villainous Victim
“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.
The unfair treatment, prejudice towards Shylock and the unfortunate events that cross his path, cause him to be a victim. Late in the play, Shylock is on trial to get his bond and the Duke says to Antonio the defendant, “I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer a stony adversary,” even though the Duke can’t be bias in a court of law, (Ⅳ.i.3-6). The judge’s already bias …show more content…

Later,when Jessica leaves Shylock,Salanio mocks Shylock saying “I, for my part knew the tailor that made the wings she withdrawal” to further anger him(Ⅲ.i.27-28).Even in his saddest hour,Shytlock is further mocked.In conclusion,though Shylock is vengefull and full of hate,it is because a string of events that led him to this way and the mocking from the

Show More
Related

  • Analysis: The Poison Of Pride And Unforgiveness

    1509 Words  | 4 Pages

    From the beginning, Shylock holds a tight grip on his daughter Jessica, as he restrains her within their house. As he leaves her one night, he states; “Lock up my doors, and when you hear...the vile squealing of the wry-necked fife, Clamber not you up to the casements then, Nor thrust your head into the public street To gaze on Christian fools.../ Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter / My sober house" (II, v, 28). Words cannot describe the love parents have for their children. Even as children grow to change, the hearts of parents continue to wish for the best of their child. Yet Shylock evidently does not portray this eternal love and care for his daughter, as his lack of mercy and contempt towards Antonio and Christians interferes with his relationship with Jessica. Shylock, being a loving father as he ought to be, merely desires the best of his daughter. Jessica is the only family he has left, illustrating the significance she must have to him. Therefore, due to his strong feelings of hatred and unforgiveness towards Antonio, he genuinely believes it is for the best of Jessica to stay clear of all Christians. Yet ultimately it was wrong of Shylock to let his personal experiences with Christians dictate Jessica’s life. Each and every one of us possess the freedom and right to live

    Read More

  • Free Essays - The Dehumanization of Shylock in Merchant of Venice

    485 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Theme of Deception in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

    375 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Deception In The Merchant Of Venice Essay

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    Committing deceptive deeds not only hurt others, but also the ones who deceive. The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, is a romantic-comedy play about a Christian merchant named Antonio who agrees to a bond that a Jewish moneylender named Shylock, his enemy, creates to help his best friend Bassanio see Portia, an heiress whom he is in love with. Shylock warns Antonio that if he forfeits the bond, by not repaying him three thousand ducats, he must allow him to remove a pound of his flesh. Throughout the play, deceptive behaviour causes the moral values of individuals to decline. First, this is seen through wealth as it pertains to the desire to have what is valuable. Second, moral values decline when people deceive the family members that they encounter. Finally, deceiving others through love leads to a decline of moral values. In the play, The Merchant of Venice, deception, as seen through wealth, family encounters, and love, causes the moral

    Read More

  • William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

    1254 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Describing Shylock of William Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Act 1 Scene 3, we are first introduced to Shylock, we see him as

    Read More

  • Is Shylock a Villain or a Victim?

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Response to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice by a Modern Audience

    1112 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Discrimination in The Merchant of Venice

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    Discrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is evidenced clearly 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 impenitent of that distinction. 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).

    Read More

  • Stereotypes and The Merchant of Venice

    1627 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Anti Semitism In The Merchant Of Venice

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Characters and Relationships in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

    1589 Words  | 4 Pages

    We are left with the impression that Shylock is highly intelligent and extremely good at his job using all the information he has at his disposal. disposal before agreeing to loan money. He is true to his religion. faith in spite of all the racist abuse he has received. Perhaps Because of this abuse, he is bitter and anxious to avenge himself for past wrongs, real or imagined.

    Read More

  • Shylock Deserves Sympathy

    603 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Love In Merchant Of Venice

    1366 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Classifying the merchant of venice

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” is a drama that most scholars find difficult classifying. The play loosely focuses upon Antonio who becomes the subject of a loan that almost costs him his life due to his belittling and poor treatment of Shylock, who as a Jew has received many forms of prejudice from Christians. Despite this fact Antonio is relieved from the loan. Bassino is freed from his prior debts and gets to marry Portia, Portia weds the man that she desires, and four other characters get married. While these moments surely made the play happy and enjoyable, the looming threat of Antonio losing everything because he ended up defaulting on the loan causes the audience to worry and fear the outcome of what may happen. If not for Shakespeare’s usage of comic relief to support the happy ending it would be even more difficult to classify this play. Although there is plenty of happy moments and comic relief the treatment of Jews and Shylock in particular also causes some people to view “The Merchant of Venice” as a tragedy. While others yet view the drama as a problem play, “where moral dilemmas or social problems were explored through one central player”. William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” is best classified as a comedy due to comedies definition, the rise of sympathetic characters, the use of comic relief to decrease the dark tense moments, and the inability to properly classify the play as a tragedy.

    Read More

More about The Villainous Victim In Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice

Open Document