The Merchant of Venice Is Shylock a victim or a villain Essay Example

and Bassanio, Shylock seems to be seriously considering the pros and cons of the loan and 'weighing up' his options. However, this may not be the case as quite simply he could be stalling to allow himself time to scheme - to calculate how to get the best for himself out of Antonio. Here Shylock could be either calculating the figures of the loan in his mind or being callous to gain a chance to get revenge on Christians.

Bassanio is very suspicious of Shylock's sincerity. The way, in which, he describes Antonio as being "sufficient" can either be taken, as Antonio himself, or the capital he has to his name. Of this Bassanio cannot decide which is the case. Shylock is very knowledgeable of Antonio and greatly annoys Bassanio with talking about Antonio's ships; afterall, as Bassanio sees it, what is the need for that part of the conversation. There is a great play on the words 'good', 'sufficient' and 'assured' here and it is unclear what Shylock truly means a great deal of the time.

The response from Shylock when Bassanio presents the offer of dining with himself and Antonio is very powerful and emotional; the deep hatred of Christians and Christianity is very clear in this passage.

When Antonio enters, in the aside of Shylock, we see the true feelings of him towards Antonio.

"How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian; -" Here we are steered directly towards the view of him being a villain. The reason for this is that what he says is in an 'aside' to the audience and an aside is always genuine; because

of this reason, there is a great deal of weight behind the words of Shylock. The way Shylock makes the snide comment about Antonio's appearance shows that his hatred for him is so deep that he even hates the way he looks.

However, is this attitude in the aside due to the poor treatment Shylock has had to go through from Antonio and other Christians due to him being a Jew? Also, the way in which Shylock says in the aside, "If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him -" adds weight to the villainous viewpoint of the aside because this line is showing what he feels, and what he would like to do. Even at this early stage is Shylock already planning to 'get his hands on Antonio'? The conflicts between Jewish and Christian attitudes toward lending money could also fuel the anger of Shylock toward Antonio; how Shylock's business is harmed because the rate of 'usance' has lowered in the Rialto because of Christians, such as Antonio, lending money 'gratis'.

One important point to do with the loan is that Shylock himself doesn't even have the necessary money to loan Bassanio but is willing to borrow money from Tubal, another Jew, to then give to Bassanio. The question is, though, why would Shylock put himself out this much; is it because of how badly he wants revenge on Antonio or is it because he wants to try to raise his name with the people of the Rialto by aiding a popular, needy Christian.

Many of the things that Shylock says to Antonio and Bassanio come

across as very pleasant and courteous. However, with what Shylock has told us in the aside, this is not the truth that he is telling them. Also, the way Shylock supposedly needs time for calculation on the loan is suspicious; is it the case that he is actually holding out because he has Antonio at a disadvantage and so is making him suffer and feel uncomfortable? After all, he has quite a right to make them suffer as he, being a Jew, is used to suffering at the hands of Christians continually. Shakespeare here could be beginning to challenge the treatment of Jews, which at the time it was first performed, the Elizabethan period, would have had a great impact on how people would react.

In Shylock's last passage of the scene we are brought to see the pain and suffering that he goes through on a daily basis, at the hands of Antonio and other Christians. We understand the views of Christians towards Shylock with how they judge and criticise him and other Jews. The way in which Shylock recalls how he has borne Antonio rating him in the Rialto with "a patient shrug" because he says:

"-for suff'rance is the badge of all our tribe; -" This poses one question; is it what Jews deserve? The abuse that Shylock speaks of is not only emotional but also physical as he recalls how Antonio "spit upon my Jewish gaberdine"; this is not simply spitting on clothing but abusing the religion of Judaism. Shylock points out that their proposal to borrow money from him is ridiculous because as he says:

"- 'Hath a dog money? Is it possible

a cur can lend three thousand ducats?' -"; this is how he is viewed by Antonio, as a dog, but how could a dog begin to fathom lending money!

This whole speech is full of emotion but is portrayed with great sarcasm and is full of irony and hypocrisy. However, even after this speech of Shylock's, Antonio shows no compassion and is not at all moved and simply says:

"I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. -" Antonio's beliefs control his actions and so he believes his actions are all justified because Shylock is a Jew.

Shylock, however, also shows pretence later in the scene with the line:

"I would be friends with you, -" and is plain and simple going back on what was said to us in the aside so we know his words here are untruthful.

The way Shylock says:

"- and in a merry sport, if you repay not on such a day, in such a place, such sum or sums as express'd in the condition, -" brings differing affects on Antonio and Bassanio. Antonio doesn't take the forfeit seriously as he knows his ships should be back with "thrice times the value of this bond" a month before the date the money is due. Bassanio, however, takes the forfeit proposed very seriously which leads us to question whether the forfeit is a joke or a front for Shylock's revenge.

Towards the end of the scene there is a play on the word 'gentle'. Antonio says:

"- The Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind." This has a lot of depth to it as Antonio here is saying

that because Shylock is showing kindness with this loan, that he cannot possibly be a Jew but must be becoming a Christian as it is un-heard-of for a Jew to be kind.

There is more damaging evidence towards Shylock's character in the second scene of act two. Shylock is shown to be a really unkind person as even his faithful servant, Lancelot Gobbo, wishes to leave him due to the poor treatment he has received at the hand of his master, Shylock. This does not give very flattering evidence for Shylock's character as a victim.

The closing scene to the second act is a very typical Shakespearean scene to bring us up to date very quickly with the exchange between Salerio and Solanio. When Shylock's daughter Jessica had disappeared, Shylock believed that it was Antonio who had aided her, even though Antonio had given his word to the Duke of Venice that he had not, which was incidentally the truth. This fact, however, does not change the fact that Shylock blames Antonio, as he believes Antonio is out to destroy him and so his hatred to him is increased.

One peculiar thing in the scene is that Shylock went to the Duke as he has a great belief in justice, despite how he is treated in Venice by all who are Christian. Solanio says what all would fear now for Antonio with the line:

"Let good Antonio look he keep his day, or he shall pay for this, -"; quite simply stating that Shylock will gain his revenge on Antonio now about his daughter.

In this scene Antonio is shown to be a selfless person - a great contrast to

Shylock who is out of control and full of viciousness. However, Shylock could be like this because of what has happened. He has, after all, just lost his beloved daughter.

At the start of this act we are informed of the misfortune that has fallen on Antonio with regards to his ships, which are believed to have fallen wrecked upon the shore. Salerio and Solanio know that Shylock still wants revenge, which shows that, is was not just initial anger speaking earlier; however, the revenge is for his suffering because of how he is hurt about his daughter. Shylocks passion for revenge upon Antonio, and Christians, is fuelled by the betrayal of Jessica with how she has left her father to go to a Christian and taken a great deal of money and jewels which were his also.

Shylock's great passion for revenge produces a very powerful passage, which is crucial to understand his character. When Salerio states that surely Shylock will not carry out the bond, as after all what use is human flesh, Shylock replies:

"To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.", basically he cares not for anything else now he just wants his revenge upon Antonio, his reason being his own feelings and nothing more. Then how Shylock continues:

"And what's his reason? I am a Jew. -" saying quite clearly that Antonio also has no reason, for the treatment he has forced upon Shylock, only because of him being a Jew; a Jew, after all, as continues to say is exactly the same physically as any given Christian. Therefore, why should his rights or his action in

concern with the law be any different from that of ant Christian.

This speech is rhetorical and powerful. One thing that is very important is how he admits he wants revenge on Antonio but in the same situation so would a Christian. A Christian would have the right to revenge so why shouldn't he - he believes the treatment of both religions, in law if nothing else, should be the same. This passage can begin to point out many of the things that we may not see clearly; it tells us how Jews are treated and informs us of the feelings Shylock holds.

However, a very important thing to be realized, is that once Shylock is alone with Tubal, the first thing he asks about is his daughter:

"Hast thou found my daughter?"

Another thing of great impoertance that Shylock says is:

"- I would my daughter dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear; would she were hears'd at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin.- " This line can be taken in two ways; it could either be that he now hates his daughter for what she has done to him or, the more likely and the one I believe, is that it is just anger speaking.

When Tubal informs Shylock of the unfortunate eventualities that have fallen upon Antonio with how his argosy from Tripolis has been lost, Shylock's anger turns from Jessica and moves onto Antonio.

By the end of the scene, however, we start to feel sympathy for Shylock. His daughter had taken his turquoise ring, which his wife had given him, before they were married and had sold it as though it were

worthless. This pains him greatly as he is now a widower and misses his wife dearly.

In the initial conversation at Portia's house, Jessica, because she is a Jew, is left out due to the rest of the people being Christian; this could have significance later when Jessica speaks of her father as she may be exaggerating, or even lying, to become equal with the Christians.

During the conversation the line delivered by Salerio of:

"- the present money to discharge the Jew -", emphasises again the view that these Christians hold of Shylock.

When Jessica does enter the conversation her speech shows powerful condemnation that emphasises the character of Shylock as a villain, stating quite clearly that he has no want of the money, just revenge:

"When I was with him, I have heard him swear to Tubal and Chus, his countrymen, that he would rather have Antonio's flesh that twenty times the value of the sum that he did owe him; and I know, my lord, if law, authority, and power, deny not, it will go hard with poor Antonio."

One other impression we gain in this scene is that Shylock is ruining these young people's marriages. This would have a great affect on the Elizabethan audience who would think it typical of a Jew to do such a thing.

In the third scene of this act we see that Shylock has a great obsession with the bond he made with Antonio:

"I'll have my bond; speak not against my bond. I have sworn on oath that I will have my bond. Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, but, since I am a dog, beware my fangs; the

Duke shall grant me justice. -" The power in this statement is very evident. The way in which Shylock speaks of how he hath been called a dog so now Antonio must beware of his cur-like ways, is very well stated.

The way that Shylock then keeps referring to the past treatments gains justification for what he wishes to do, i.e. have his bond.

Throughout the scene Shylock is very single-minded, not listening to anything said by Antonio or Solanio. He shows that he wants his bond and nothing else. Antonio at one point shows the view that the Venetian laws are 'bad laws, so break them. Why not?' The fact of the matter is, Venice is the trading centre of Italy and for that reason the Duke has no power to break the laws - they must simply be kept to protect Venice. Also, although Shylock is a Jew, his legal rights are exactly the same so he knows nothing can be done to prevent Shylock.

The closing lines of Antonio show him to be brave, a martyr, show great calmness and in doing so shows him to still be very dignified. His last words of the scene show his love of Bassanio and indicate to us, quite simply, that nothing else matters:

"- pray God Bassanio come to see me pay his debt and then I care not." The simple message here is that, if he can just see Bassanio one more time, he will be happy.

The opening words of the Duke in the court scene show that even the fair Duke of Venice, is against Shylock from the very start. Shylock simply is condemned - for

being a Jew:

"I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, incapable of pity, void and empty, from any dram of mercy."

There is again a great contrast between Antonio and Shylock where Antonio is quiet, calmly accepting what has to happen; and Shylock is showing great tyranny and is filled with rage. The words of Antonio clearly show this beyond any doubt:

"- and that no lawful means can carry me out of his envy's reach, I do oppose my patience to his fury, and am arm'd to suffer with a quietness of spirit the very tyranny and rage of his."

The Duke, quite strangely considering the Christian views of Jews, is incredibly overly optimistic about the mercy of Shylock; but Shylock is cold and merciless. The Duke realises this is getting no-where and tries to order Shylock to have mercy. However, Shylock knows, all too well, that he has no legal right to do this. The way the Duke then expects Shylock to give up the money as well, for the simple reason that a Christian would is again ridiculous. The view of Christians is that Jews are merciless so Shylock is only living up to the feelings that are held towards whim and other Jews.

To this pleading of the Duke, Shylock simply states the law of the Rialto and pressures the Duke to carry this law out:

"- if you deny it, let the danger light upon your charter and your city's freedom." Shylock continues to say he is made to feel alienated so, therefore, he has nothing to lose by not doing as people wish as he no

longer cares about being accepted - he is too hurt and angry:

"Now for your answer: as there is no firm reason to be rend'red why he cannot abide a gaping pig; why he, a harmless necessary cat; why he, a wooden bagpipe, but of force must yield to such inevitable shame as to offend, himself being offended; -"

When Antonio had the chance to plead with Shylock for his life he doesn't even begin, as he knows that there is no reason to do so as Shylock is merciless.

Shylock then shows very plainly in another passionate portrayal of facts that Christians, who deem themselves to be far higher than Jews, are far from perfect with many parts of their lives being 'very grey areas' such as Shylock's chosen topic of slavery.

When Portia, joins the scene she tries to plead with Shylock for mercy, again to no avail. Portia doesn't give in and tries to bring Shylock to show compassion for Antonio, this loved Christian who has had misfortune, and so be merciful in his decision on the proceedings. This whole speech by Portia is very passionate.

To this passionate speech from Portia, Shylock just seems not to care at all - he wants only his revenge:

"My deeds upon my head! I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond." The first sentence of this statement has a link to the eventualities of the play as his deeds do end up on his head when the bond is 'destroyed' by Portia.

When Bassanio then pleads with the court to break the law to help Antonio, a Christian "to do a great right do a little wrong."; Portia

can do nothing and has to ignore the plea.

Portia asks Shylock to be lenient and forget the bond in a Christian way, for Venice. However, Venice has mistreated him so why should he do anything good in return:

"- Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice." Of this, he has no reason but is giving justification for his decision.

When Portia says to Antonio:

"Why then, thus it is: you must prepare your bosom for his knife." Shylock shows great malice and intent with the words:

"O noble judge! O excellent young man!"

Portia then asks Antonio:

"You merchant, have you anything to say?" Antonio replies calmly; accepting his life is over that nothing can be done. Here Antonio is very much a martyr to Bassanio; being able to do this for him because of the dear love he holds for him; and he has already lost Bassanio to fair Portia.

Everything seems to be going Shylock's way when Portia says:

"- This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood: -" Simply, Antonio's life has been saved because this fact allows the flesh to be cut - but without any blood loss; this renders the act of taking Antonio's heart impossible. It is ironic how Shylock has been stating how he wants his bond - it is now the bond that is saving Antonio instead of condemning him. At this, Shylock is in great disbelief, and can't believe what he is being told:

"Is that the law?"

Shylock had been stating very clearly all along that he cared not for the money, just the bond; now, however, he wanted the money, which had been offered earlier by Bassanio. However,

Portia, at this, has other ideas because Shylock has been wanting to take a Christian's life for no good reason but for revenge and she cant see any valid reasoning for this.

When Portia informed them how the Venetian law has another hold on Shylock - it shows that Shylock cannot have Antonio or the money. He was also going to lose all of his wealth and his life would now be in the Duke's hands for intending to take another mans life.

"It is enacted in the laws of Venice, if it be proved against an lien that by direct or indirect attempts he seek the life of any citizen, the part 'gainst which he doth contrive shall seize one half his goods; the other half comes to the privy coffer of the state; and the offender's life lies in the mercy of the Duke only, 'gainst all other voice."

When the Duke speaks of his wishes, of what he wants to happen Shylock simply states he would rather die because his life would be no longer as it was anyway as it is money that is important to him and that is what he is losing:

"Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that. -"

Then, however, the loss of his wealth and possessions hurts him even more when Antonio chooses to give it to Lorenzo, the Christian who stole his Jewish daughter and Shylock also has to abandon his faith and take up that which he hates and become a faithful Christian; this last thing is worse to Shylock than all else contrived.

By the end of the scene, Shylock is clearly a broken man as his

reply to the Duke of "I am content" clearly shows.

Shylock by the end of the play has lost everything he owned; his daughter and also, effectively, his life. Antonio on the other-hand has not lost anything and has gained three thousand ducats, those that he loaned from Shylock.

Although a certain amount of sympathy is due to Shylock, I still hold him, in my opinion, as a villain.

My reasoning for this is that even in the first scene when we first see Shylock, in his aside he already shows great hatred. However, more than that; the line, "If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him," shows that from the very beginning, Shylock intended to take his Antonio's life. Although it could be argued that this was because of the abuse Shylock had fell under, this does not give Shylock, in my opinion, the right to take Antonio's life.