Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

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Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Although there are various sub plots in the Merchant of Venice,

Shylock plays a very central role, interacting with almost all of the

other characters to some degree.

I believe that Shakespeare has carefully crafted the character of

Shylock in great detail. He makes Shylock both a Jew and a money

lender, both of these things were despised by many Christians at the

time this was written. Shylock is introduced to the audience as a

controversial character. All his traits and characteristics are very

deliberate.

The character of Shylock is frequently used by Shakespeare to build

sympathy from the audience, which he quickly removes again. This

helps to keep the audience thinking about him and it helps to keep the

audience interested in the plot.

Shylock first appears as a cautious business man who lets us know how

badly he has been treated by Antonio, but we become aware that there

is also professional rivalry between the two.

When we first hear of Jessica leaving, we are told by Solanio. The

situation is bad for Shylock, he has lost his daughter, some money,

some jewels and all to a Christian, we should feel a great deal of

pity for Shylock at this point, but Shakespeare avoids this by not

having Shylock present on stage at this point and by having Solanio

make light of the situation, implying that his grief for his ducats

may even surpass his grief for his daughter.

“My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!

Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!

When Shylock does appear his passion has subdued and been overtaken by

bitterness therefore are sympathies are reduced.

One of Shakespeare’s best known speeches is Shylocks powerful speech

after his daughter has abandoned him and unconfirmed news of Antonio’s

losses at sea are heard. He talks of all the times he feels he has

been wronged by Antonio and states bluntly the reason for this is he

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