Shylock is the hated Jew character in The Merchant of Venice. Despite the presence of other, minor, Jewish characters, when "The Jew" is mentioned, he is instantly recognized as Shylock. The Jew accumulates several negative monikers throughout the play, and in act four, scene one, he is referred to as: an inhuman wretch, / uncapable of pity, void and empty / from any dram of mercy" (Shakespeare 4.1.4-6), "inexecrable dog" (4.1.128), and a "cruel devil" (4.1.215). The society of Venice despises Shylock the Jew, yet he seems comfortable in his roll. While he is proud of his role as "the Jew," the sentence of conversion is not as fatal as Antonio believes.
For the most part, Shylock plays his role of the greedy, monstrous Jew well. He
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Likewise, Shylock's daughter was liked well enough to be whisked away in elopement before she converted. The Jew has been thought of as the automatic villain, however, it seems he doesn't have to be unlikeable.
While it may not have been necessary, Shylock seems as eager as the Christians for himself to be "The Jew". Until it is his livelihood at stake, Shylock relentlessly demands a pound of Antonio's flesh, and maintains his greedy demands. It is as if he tries to fulfill the stereotypes set by this Christian society. He seems to be asking for the others to remember he is a Jew as he cries out "my deeds upon my head!" recalling the Jews who condemned Jesus for crucifixion (4.1.204). This man has been the enemy to Christians and he will continue to be so. He is not just a villain out for his own gain, he comes from a long line of people who did bad things. To be the villainous Jew is not just something he was born into, Shylock endeavors to fulfill the role he was presented with.
Shylock is proud to be the local Jew. He makes no apologies for fulfilling the stereotypes, and hurls insults after he is insulted, calling Antoio a rat and a serpent (4.1.44, 69). His praise comes from the old testament, as he compares Portia to Daniel in her initial judgements (4.1.221). This later is echoed by Graziano when Portia's justice is no longer in Shylock's favor, who seemingly was unaware of this character
In ‘The Merchant of Venice’ Shylock is very strong minded and is singled out of the play because he is a mean Jew that charges interest. Shylock is very stubborn and determined to keep to his bond; a pound of flesh of Antonio.
Similar to Lancelot’s situation, Jessica is ashamed of connected to Shylock by blood. When Lancelot talks to her about running away and become a Christian man’s servant, Jessica wishes to “end this strife [and] /Become a Christian” (2.3.19-20). The word choices of “strife” and “run from” in Jessica and Lancelot’s lines show that Shylock is hated by his own family, even if he technically and financially superior to his daughter and servant in rank. This power reversal shows that in Shakespeare’s society, status of religion is regarded more highly than financial stature and pre-set societal gender roles, and can be the most easily targeted for dehumanization.
The Enmity between Christians and Jews is first revealed in this passage by Shylock’s tetchy, sarcastic reply to Bassanio. Bassanio politely invites Shlock to dinner and Shylock replies sarcastically saying, “Yes, to smell pork…” He further separates himself from Bassanio by referring to, “…your prophet, the Nazarite.” Also, in an irritated way, he lists the things he is prepared to do with Christians, and the things he in not prepared to do. In this passage, “I will buy with you…nor sell with you”, Shylock repeats the word ‘YOU’ Eight times, making it sound like an accusation, not only against Bassanio, but all Christians, for wronging
Prejudice English Unit Comparison Do you desire to learn about one of the many problems affecting history today? One that brings about conflict and war. Possibly it could be affecting your life right now. This is of course prejudice. In the units studied in English class prejudice takes many forms in people and is present as different types of prejudice.
Shylock is a character famously known as being the antagonist of Shakespeare’s play merchant of Venice. In this play, Shakespeare portrayal of Shylock the moneylender is one of anti-Semitic stereotype. Shylock is depicted as a typical bloodthirsty Jew who lives a life void of any depth or meaning. His sole purpose for living seems to be to amass wealth and vengeance as seen from his adamant claim for his “pound of flesh”. Despite Shakespeare’s attempts to humanize Shylock at points in the story, it appears that his primary focus is to steer the audience against Shylock, painting him as being a cruel, bitter and inaffable figure. It is clear that in both Shakespeare’s merchant of Venice and Grace Tiffany’s Turquoise Ring, Shylock exposes
“There is no doubt that Shylock is a cunning and vengeful man, but nothing can justify the treatment he receives at the hands of the Christians.”
The first event that demonstrates that Shylock is a victim would be that he is ridiculed by his community and his family. Antonio and Shylock were never friends. They always fought because Antonio was a Christian and Shylock was a Jew. They also have different money lending practices which cause a lot of discrepancies. Antonio always mocked Shylock. He calls him a misbeliever and a cutthroat dog. Shylock tells us that Antonio “…call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog,/ and spet upon my Jewish gabardine,” (1.3.108-109). Here Shylock demonstrates that Antonio on a day to day basis mocked Shylock. Later on, Antonio mentions that he will call Shylock that again if he wants to. Another example would be Antonio’s friends. They teas Shylock for his faith and his misfortunes. When Jessica runs away with Shylock’s money and jewelry, he asked the Duke to go help him search Bassanio’s ship for them. Solanio heard
Stereotypes for every different religion, ethnicity, culture, and gender exist among the minds of the human race. These typecasts have ruled this world for as long as there has been diversity among people. In Shakespeare’s comedic tragedy, The Merchant of Venice, one prejudice is very central to the theme. The play is dominantly set in Venice, one of the most liberal cities of the Renaissance era. In this place and time period, anti-Semitism is very much in force. The Jewish people are discriminated against and treated terribly by the Christians living in Venice. Shylock, a wealthy Jew, is mercilessly spurned many times by men like Antonio, a Venetian merchant. In contrast to this blind hatred is the longing and lust associated with
He declares, "I'm very glad of it. I'll plague him, I'll torture him, I am glad of it." (3, 1, 115-116) At the end of Act 3, scene 1, Shylock's true motive is revealed. Shylock says, "I will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will." (3, 1, 125-127) All these comments clearly attempt to paint Shylock as a money-worshipping murderer and not as a person.
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare portrays Shylock as a victim throughout the play, but as he seeks revenge towards the Christians and everyone who has done him wrong, Shylock defends himself with some villainous behaviour. To a modern audience, the discrimination and suffering Shylock experiences, place him as a victim. Throughout the play, Shylock, a Jewish money lender, is perceived as a greedy and miserly man due to his Jewish culture. In Shakespeare's time, exploitation of Jews was common; particularly in Venice as it was an anti-Semitic city. However, Jews thought of themselves as victims of harassment and oppression. Shylock has been discriminated against, but nevertheless seeks revenge on people who have done him wrong which displays another side to Shylock. Therefore, Shylock is viewed as a victim and a villain, but more of a victim because of the abuse he has suffered.
Shylock finds joy when roles are reversed, causing people to beg for his mercy. Throughout the play, Christian characters were racist to him, they were constantly disrespecting him due to his Jewish background. However, in Act III Scene III, roles are reversed when their racist antics turn into mercy. The characters want to save Antonio from being harmed, and so they beg Shylock to change his mind:
His hatred for Antonio is also obvious and it is so strong that he refuses all offers of money so that he can cut off a pound of his flesh. In Act 3 Scene 1 Shylock makes his famous “Hath not a Jew eyes?” speech, and it is probably at this point that the audience
Another factor in Shylocks character that leads to him being perceived as the villain is that he is parsimonious. He will not give or
did this through Shylock. In Act 3 Scene 3, Shylock tells of how he is
Shylock’s revenge against years of ridicule is what brought about his downfall. In the end, his refusal to accept anything but the bond that was agreed upon caused him to lose his home, his daughter, his fortune and his religion. This is a tragedy indeed.