Merchant of Venice Rhetorical Analysis

Shylock responds with a weak argument concerning his hatred towards Antonio with, “affection, Mistress of passion,” who affects men’s moods in ways they cannot explain (4.1.49–50). Saying, just as certain people cannot explain their distain towards cats, certain music, or eating meat, Shylock cannot explain his loathing for Antonio; there is no reason. This makes 4.1.43-61 especially powerful with the range of emotion Shylock expresses during his opaic argument. During 4.1.43-61, the use of repetition by describing the same image, “gaping pig” (4.1.53) and the “woolen bagpipe” (4.1.55) solidify Shylocks character in being narrow minded and determined. The question of, “Are you answered?” (4.1.61) is used to satisfy Shylock in his own explanation of his hatred towards

Shylock requests a pound of flesh from Antonio on his search for justice. He claimed, "My deeds upon my head. I crave the law, The penalty, and forfeit of my bond" (4.1.195-196). Essentially, he tries to make everyone believe that as a follower of the law he would 've allow Antonio to cut a pound of flesh from his very own body if it was the other way around. Portia challenges Shylock 's hidden intentions. She says, "Shylock, there 's thrice thy money offered thee" (4.1.218). Getting his bond repaid was really not his moto. She is giving him the opportunity to understand that mercy is more important than justice, that he should show an act of mercy for Antonio. Still, Shylock persists and really just shows his real vision when he says, "By my soul I swear / There is no power in the tongue of man / To alter me. I stay here on my bond." His moto is really to hurt Antonio and finally gain revenge. Shylock shows himself as an individual without mercy. Where all that really matters was the insatiable thirst for revenge that controlled his actions.

Discrimination and hatred across religions can be often become a normal part of everyday life, and can be difficult to eradicate and extinguish. In William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, the idea of the “normality” of everyday prejudices comes across in interactions and the portrayal of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Venice. Through Shylock’s character, Shakespeare provides a commentary on how his society has viewed Judaism in a dehumanizing way for many generations, but also expresses how difficult and not in a playwright’s place to change these societal prejudices.

Unquestionably, Shylock behaves out of character while creating the bond with Antonio and Bassanio. Despite the Jew’s hatred for Antonio, he is willing to loan him money. Antonio says, “Content, in faith! I’ll seal to such a bond, and say there is much kindness in the Jew" (1.3.148-49). This quote confirms Antonio’s trust in Shylock’s fake kindness and friendly behaviour. Shylock’s obsession with the idea of Antonio in a difficult situation is the primary reason why he agrees to loan his money and creates the bond out of hatred and villainy but masks his evil hopes in the presences of Antonio. Antonio is unaware of the seriousness and terms of the bond having believed the forfeit of a pound of flesh was a joke. Shylock deviously tricks the merchant with the appearance of kindness in hopes of catching Antonio at a

This scene involves Shylock talking to two Christians when he makes a speech about how there is no difference between Jew and Christian apart from beliefs. This scene has the most well known quote of play in it. The quote is “Hath a Jew not eyes?”. The quote is said by Shylock. He continues on by asking more rhetorical question.

Shylock also recognizes Antonio's antisemitism, citing that Antonio was always trying to intimidate Shylock to convert to Christianity. This is coupled with an evident dominance practiced by Antonio over Shylock, expressed when he says “I am as like to call thee so again, To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too;” (I. 3. 130-131). The final and perhaps most painful slight to Shylock appears when his daughter Jessica elopes with a Christian. Shylock feels as though he has once again been harmed by the Christians who segregate him.

While in the court Shylock is stubborn to accept anything, but only his “bond of flesh” from Antonio. The Duke intervenes and adheres Shylock to “forgive a moiety of the principal, Glancing an eye of pity on his losses That have of late so huddled on his back…(4.1.25-8). Hence, Shylock refuses to dismiss the contract, in a similar form, as Antonio refused his offer to a potential friendship and instead discriminated him. Yet, the Duke is only focused on saving his fellow Christian from Shylock, a “Jew.” Duke further states, “We all expect a gentle answer, Jew” (4.1.36-7). The way that the Duke has called him “Jew” is inferred as discriminating him for his religion and to some extent not enforcing the law of justice towards Shylock because of his religion. Thereby, knowing that the Duke is in the position of making justice in Venice, he, first, favors those of his kind, “Christian[s].” Thus, Shylock’s does not remove himself from claiming his own justice of the contract for the purpose of the mistreatment that Antonio takes upon him; whereas, “Christians” don’t have that custom in lending money through “interest rates.” Thus, Shylock will not leave until his contract agreements has been completed that he further says, “…by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond” (4.1.36-7). The Merchant of Venice, also shows us how justice plays as injustice but is seen as justice because of the superior group is much greater than the inferior group, the Jewish, which they, practically, do not hold any power. Shylock does not get justice, and thus is puts in a worse discrimination position he was before by enforcing him to convert to Christian. This is paradoxically since the own court refused to give him justice; so why should Shylock still

“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.”

Shakespeare skilfully demonstrates religious intolerance towards Jews in the Elizabethan era automatically emphasising the kindness of Christians through the discerning use of evidence from the text of The Merchant of Venice. Christianity was the centre of society for Elizabethans, this resulted in discrimination against Jews. The character of Shylock, a Jewish money lender is portrayed as immoral, thirsty for Christian blood and is dehumanised by other characters in the play whereas the Christians were drawn as the moral and righteous human beings of the Elizabethan era. This is depicted through the quote commenting Shylock as, “The Hebrew [who] will turn Christian. He grows kind.” (1.3.175), a metaphor insinuating that Jews were unkind and

He was more worried about his ducats and he doesn’t care that Jessica ran away but the fact that she ran away with a Christian. He asks for justice and the law to help get his money back, because he is greedy. Emotive language is used because it emphasises that Shylock was angrier about losing his money then losing his daughter.

Shylock could be considered the victim of Antonio's bullying. Because Shylock is a Jew, he is treated in a way in which he seems like a peasant and Antonio is royalty, even

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.

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