What is your assessment of the presentation of the character and role of Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice'?
Shylock: Victim or Villain
What is your assessment of the presentation of the character and role of Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice'?
Victim or villain. These two words are the total opposites of each other. A victim is someone that 'we' in general should, or may, feel sorry for and attempt to sympathise or empathise with. But a villain is the one person that people love to hate. The best example of this I feel is pantomime. The victims or heroes are clear-cut and the audience willingly cheers them. But as soon as the villain walks on stage he is hissed and booed, unfortunately it is not as simple as this in 'The Merchant of Venice' and how the audience react to the characters is all important in making the distinction between victim or villain.
Although the title of the play: 'The Merchant of Venice', implies Antonio is the central character, I think that Shylock is the most important, often when he is off-stage, in the words and actions of others. There is still a debate over whether Shylock is wholly villainous, or whether his circumstances and life force him to a certain extent in his actions. This difference in interpretations can be highlighted in the way audiences would have reacted when the play was written, and how this compares to a more modern insight into the play. In particular, this reaction to Shylock is pivotal to the big question, victim or villain.
In Elizabethan times, Shylock would have been portrayed as a villain through-and-through. When he tells the audience how he has been treated, spat upon, and how the Christians insult him, calling him, "cut-throat dog" and "cur", there would be no sympathy for him; on the contrary the audience may well have thought that this was a good and correct way to treat a non-Christian. Had this question been asked when the high level of anti-Semitism prevailed the answer would have been a simple, 'villain' mainly for Shylock's faith and usury, frowned upon in Venetian society.
In contrast to this however, modern attitudes to racism, in particular anti-Semitism, are different. All throughout history Jews have been persecuted, most recently in the Holocaust in Germany. I would think that many people today would be affected by this, that such persecution could happen just because people stood up for their faith. It is this view that makes 'The Merchant of Venice', and particularly Shylock, so complex and still extremely relevant to modern society.
Shylock is a Jew in a Christian city, isolated and vulnerable. This is a cause of great prejudice against Shylock and means his apparent villainy can begin to be understood. But, interpretation of Act 1:3 and the lines therein and underlying meanings accounts for many things. For example, when Bassanio invites Shylock to have a meal with them, "If it please you to dine with us", it can be read as a kind offer rejected by Shylock or ignorance of the Jewish faith, either unintentionally or intentionally to patronise and provoke Shylock. But one point in this very important scene, Act 1:3, is when Shylock recounts all he has suffered at the hands of the Christians, epitomised in Antonio. Shylock has "borne it with a patient shrug" and goes on to demonstrate the hypocrisy of the supposed gentleman, Bassanio and Antonio. The tale of how they have shunned him in public, when Shylock says "in the Rialto you have rated me", and physically abused him "[you] spit upon my Jewish gaberdine" and then to come to him for money shows a great deal of hypocrisy, and to a certain extent a lack of moral character.
Moreover, Antonio confirms all of these actions towards Shylock when he declares, "I am as like to call thee so again", he is being honest, brutally honest. Here the 'flesh clause' is introduced and a reader or member of the audience must decide whether this a genuine, improvised idea, meaning the bond is indeed a "merry sport" or whether Shylock is happy to mount a serious attempt on Antonio's life. But of what use is a pound of flesh? Surely Shylock is attempting to be amiable here but it is more submissive than friendly, as he is trying not to cause any more trouble. This leads to an excellent example of Antonio's attitude to Shylock, with the pun on the words "gentle Jew". He is meaning to pay Shylock a compliment this way, but ultimately this shows how prejudice plays a very important role in this play.
This theme of prejudice is completely relevant to Shylock, but is extremely predominant through the play. It is this underlying sense of racism that gives an impression that Shakespeare's idea of Shylock is that of a villain. This society of 'nobles' in Venice seems utterly executive and exclusive. Jews are not accepted, shown when Shylock is referred to as a "faithless Jew". Indeed anyone deemed too poor; too rich or anyone who seemed to have any faults were also excluded. Portia proves this as well. Generally, Portia and Shylock are unconnected apart from the trial scene, but her prejudice against the Prince of Morocco, when he fails to win Portia's hand in marriage "Let all of his complexion choose me so" is clear. Just an off-hand remark, but clearly showing the attitude towards difference, whether it be people or ideas, that the sixteenth century bourgeoisie obviously had firm belief in.
In a stark contrast of interpretation, many things Shylock does in Act 1:3 show him to be extremely villainous. Shylock seems to bear a deep personal and racial grudge against Antonio. He says in an aside, not to Bassanio and the recently entered Antonio, "I hate him for he is a Christian", and this shows his true feelings for Antonio, of deep insults he has made to his "tribe". But, when questioned by the Christians, Shylock avoids saying this, pretending he was thinking of his "present store" and not of his feelings towards Antonio.
The aside that ...
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In a stark contrast of interpretation, many things Shylock does in Act 1:3 show him to be extremely villainous. Shylock seems to bear a deep personal and racial grudge against Antonio. He says in an aside, not to Bassanio and the recently entered Antonio, "I hate him for he is a Christian", and this shows his true feelings for Antonio, of deep insults he has made to his "tribe". But, when questioned by the Christians, Shylock avoids saying this, pretending he was thinking of his "present store" and not of his feelings towards Antonio.
The aside that Shylock delivers, venting his feelings to the audience makes it very difficult for him to be seen as a victim. A major point here is the supposed "merry sport" of Shylock's bond, as it can be seen as a deliberate attempt on Antonio's life. When Shylock admits he would relish a chance to "catch him once upon the hip", this thought of vengeance is what leads me to believe that this 'pound of flesh' clause was a premeditated conception, and not a whimsical jest. This scene projects Shylock as having a cool, calculating exterior that fully masks his inner feelings.
Another point on how Shylock speaks, rather than what he says, is the fact Shylock speaks in prose. When a character speaks in prose in a Shakespearean play, it is conventional that the character is intended to be comical or evil. As I can assume a Jew in sixteenth-century England would not be seen as comical, backed up by Shylock's actions, this piece of evidence shows that Shakespeare intended for Shylock to be portrayed as an evil character.
Taking Shylock as an evil character, the length of time it takes him to decide whether or not to take the bond seems interesting. At this point in the play, Shylock really seems to be deceitful and cruel. His deceit comes from lying to Antonio, whilst his cruelty is shown in the way he drags out the conversation. He is apparently taking delight in the sudden and unexpected reversal of 'roles'. Now the Christians, who had previously been so racist to him, were at the mercy of his decision. This gives Shylock an unmistakeable air of smug confidence when he mocks them by saying:
"For these courtesies / I'll lend you thus"
And mocks the Christians approach in mimicking their intentions when he says, "Shylock we would have monies". Both of these quotes reinforce the point that Shylock is being cruel, and deliberately reminding the duo of all he has suffered. The way the Christians have been forced to come to him when they need help would surely please Shylock.
Although Shylock has been portrayed vastly as a villain, the incidents before his daughter runs away means another side of the story can be seen. Jessica is about to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian, and her line, "I have a father, you a daughter, lost", shows she has now turned her back on her faith and because Shylock does not know, her father too. When he leaves to "feed upon the prodigal Christian", he tells her to stay home and to look after his house. The fact that Shylock has a sudden change of heart, and decides to dine with the Christians seems very coincedental to the fact Lorenzo and Jessica must elope, and it is all very convenient, even if it does not make much sense. Unfortunately, everything else Shylock says in this scene makes it virtually impossible, if not impossible, to sympathise with him.
Shylock is going to dine with the Christians, but not as a friend, "I'll go in hate", he says, showing a clearly visible villainous side. Shylock also appears to have had premonitions about this event as he "did dream of money-bags to-night" which was thought to be an ill omen. Because of this 'warning' Shylock delivers strict instructions to shut all his windows and keep his "sober house". The use of the phrase "sober house" seems to show that Shylock is a dour man not inclined to having fun, meaning even less sympathy can be given to him in this scene. In fact, this dour exterior continues to the end of the scene, when a miserly side of Shylock is seen with his use of the proverb "fast bind, fast find", showing a thought for his "thrifty" mind.
The elopement of Jessica is a major turning point in the development of Shylock's character. When Salerio and Solanio, two of the less important nobles in the play, talk about this they provide an example of how Venetian society views Shylock. They refer to Shylock as "The villain Jew" and their hatred of him means he can be seen as a victimised character. Now, in a modern society, the fact Jessica was "ashamed" of being Jewish, and in particular the daughter of Shylock is seen as a terrible thing for him. This therefore creates sympathy for Shylock because he is very religious and he clings to his faith and money for support. His own daughter has taken the two things that mean the most to him, but none of the Christians care. To them this would have been seen as a great thing for her to do, saving her from a damned race, and so no-one would have been thinking or caring about Shylock, in fact they mock him, surely mocking his voice and tone of his words as well. This mockery of Shylock, when he is not on stage, shows again how the Christian and Venetian society had no respect for him. Also, in way, the fact Jessica stole "two sealed bags of ducats" and, "two rich and precious stones", means a certain amount of sympathy for Shylock can be given. We are to understand that Shylock held a "passion so confused" which most probably showed his extreme grief, anger and disappointment of Jessica's elopement. Because she eloped with a Christian and stole from him, Jessica is now effectively dead to Shylock, and his "passion" is probably that of a loving father who has lost his only daughter and last relation, meaning he is even more alone in Venice.
However, in the aforementioned emotional outbursts Shylock seems more affected and hurt by the loss of his ducats. This could just be a contortion of the truth by the Christians, or it could be true, seeing as they appear to be quoting Shylock directly. The reason Shylock seems to care a lot more about his money and possessions than his daughter is the fact that when the Christians are quoting him, he has made many, many more references to his financial loss than to his personal and family loss. The Christians would obviously have thought this is not a right way of thinking and so called him a "dog Jew" and I think that at this point in the play Shylock is indeed acting extremely villainously. I personally think family relations are worth more than any money could pay for, and my opinion is if Shylock was truly a victim, surely he would care about his family, especially his own daughter.
As the two Christians talk about Shylock the question of the bond arises. Neither seems to have any doubt that if Antonio does not keep his bond Shylock will have no hesitation in claiming his pound of flesh. Solanio even says, "Let good Antonio keep his day / Or he shall pay for this", with the emphasis on the word "good". Salerio also thinks very highly of Antonio, saying of him, "A kinder gentleman treads not the earth", and at this point in the play I think the two main characters, Antonio and Shylock, have moved in different directions in the way they are portrayed. Earlier on the play it is not clear who is the villain and who the victim, Antonio even admits all he had done to wrong Shylock. But here I think there can be no doubt that the view and projection of Antonio as a character has changed to make him an extremely good man. Conversely, any sympathy available for Shylock is not possible here because it has been quite clearly proved already that he is a villain, because of what has happened. This is later enforced in the scene where Shylock explains why he will take the bond.
Shylock enters and attention is immediately drawn to him. This is because Solanio tells of how the devil came "in the likeness of a Jew". Shylock's launch straight into accusations against the Christians shows he is not only hurt, but also extremely angry. Shylock's anger is against all who he has perceived to have wronged him, or aided in his daughter's flight, but it is focused on Antonio. When questioned about Antonio's bond Shylock describes it as a "bad match" but Shylock is so incensed about the recent events he makes it totally clear he is prepared and willing to take a pound of flesh from Antonio. This is shown by the fact that Shylock says, "Let him look to his bond" three times in one speech, with the repetition emphasising his desire for 'justice' and vengeance.
On the theme of vengeance, a theme prevalent throughout the play, Shylock describes his use of a pound of flesh, "If it will please nothing else, it / Will feed my revenge". This thought, of revenge and Shylock's need for what he sees as justice makes him seem very evil, unfeeling and unmerciful. This is seen again later on in the same scene when Shylock talks to Tubal, the only other Jew in the play, therefore making this conversation of particular importance. Shylock's revelation that he would prefer his "daughter were dead at [his] foot, and the jewels in / in her ear" to the ducats being in her coffin shows his heartlessness. It translates that he would prefer to lose his daughter and keep his money, which shows a complete lack of feelings, making me doubt if there was ever any love between the two. Shylock's villainy is also highlighted in his glee at the news of Antonio's "ill luck", when he says to Tubal, "I thank God, I thank God", and later when he admits he'll "torture him [Antonio]". At this point in the play Shylock is quite possibly at his most villainous, when he is anticipating that moment of revenge.
On a contrasting view of this scene, Shylock does make an extremely moving and emotive speech, starting "Hath not a Jew eyes?" The speech makes a very valid point that anyone, regardless of race, creed or faith is a person. They have emotions, ideas and their own respective views that they should be entitled to. When Shylock makes this powerful speech, he is forcing people to think about where they stand in the great debate about prejudice. This speech also forces a great deal of sympathy for Shylock, and indeed it is a very well argued point, that surely if a Jew is wronged he should be allowed to take the same action a Christian would have done. His line "The / villainy you teach I will execute" effectively shows that in some ways at least he is indeed a victim, and this persistent victimisation has forced him to do some of the things he has done.
A final point in this scene where Shylock should be seen as a victim is when Tubal breaks the news of Jessica to him. As a "thrifty" man, Shylock is loath to see money go to waste, especially if it his. Therefore the tales of how Jessica seems to be quite literally squandering his money would surely have hurt him, and makes him seem a victim because of this. But, money is only coins, and the news that really causes Shylock a great deal of pain is the news that Jessica has traded his ring for a monkey. This ring, which Shylock says he "had it of Leah", was a last memento of his late wife, and of great sentimental value. This seems to be one of the only points, if not the only point in the play, when Shylock seems to have personal feelings and emotions. I think the fact he has lost this priceless item of great sentimental value is a great way of seeing Shylock as a victim, and at this very short moment in the scene, all the villainous side of him can almost be forgotten. An idea that could be thought of, which I'm sure has been thought of before, is the fact that maybe Shylock's inability, or unwillingness, to talk about his dead wife, could show deep emotional pain, and could explain some of Shylock's characteristics. For example, this could explain his soberness and miserly side.
A very short scene before the trial scene is when Shylock enters and demands his bond. This is a scene where Shylock is rather nasty. He consistently cuts off Antonio, "I will not hear thee speak", and makes it extremely clear he will claim the full forfeit of the bond. He shows no mercy, and that is how, in this short, but maybe crucial scene, that Shylock is a villain.
The famous trial scene is a long scene of many developments. For the first part of the scene Shylock is a villain, and so, taking it from the view that Shylock is entirely villainous, with no ounce of good at this point, the scene pans out like this: The Duke thinks that Shylock is an "inhuman wretch" and it is very clear he would like to extract mercy from him. Unfortunately, Shylock wants the "due and forfeit of [his] bond" and will stop at nothing to get it. This makes it very easy to see why Shylock is seen as a villain in this scene, mainly through his lack of mercy. Also, when he is questioned about why he actually wants a pound of flesh, not his money, he does not reply with an honest answer. Surely, if he had nothing to hide he would admit it was an act of revenge, and it would be, in his opinion, a long time coming. Instead, he just tries to pass it off as his "pleasure" so they humour him. This is certainly suspicious and this suspicion is what would lead the court to think he was a villain.
The full extent of Shylock's desire for vengeance is shown when Bassanio offers Shylock double his money and Shylock simply says:
"If every ducat in six thousand ducats
Were in six parts, and every part a ducat
I would not draw them, I would have my bond!"
Because six thousand ducats, twice the money specified in the bond, is a lot of money anyway, there is clear evidence that Shylock has a great desire for what he sees as justice. But, the fact that Shylock takes this further to say if six times that was offered him he would reject it shows the magnitude of his thirst for vengeance. This is all especially important as Shylock's business is usury, making profit and therefore that is what makes this statement even more spectacular. His call for justice soon after this just re-confirms his point, and underlines his need for revenge.
When Portia enters the courtroom, disguised as Balthazar, there is a decision to be made by Shylock and the observer. Shylock appears totally cold-hearted and villainous as Portia enters, even whetting his knife in anticipation, but the decision that must be made is in fact about Portia. Portia gives Shylock many chances to relent, she even says to him "Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond" directly asking him to be merciful but Shylock does not relent. Shylock wastes many chances to be merciful, and this does make him a villain, cold-hearted as he earnestly whet his knife in anticipation of the moment he had waited for. Also, his own decision to have only his bond, and only what was stated in the bond, caused his downfall. This decision made Shylock particularly villainous because he did have respect for the sanctity of human life any more. He did not want a surgeon nearby to attempt to save Antonio's life, but wanted to kill him with his own knife.
Shylock's gloating also proves he has a very visible villainous side. His congratulations to the judge, "'T is very true, O wise and upright judge", may have been premature to say the least, but they were also in extremely bad taste. I think that in all Shylock does up until Portia speaks of her own clause, is villainous. His words, actions, persistent demand of a pound of flesh, all point to a non-negotiable bond, which proves he is indeed a villain in this instance. In fact, I think the situation Portia has put Shylock in is wholly deserved, he did seek the life of Antonio, and accordingly he should be punished.
But, throughout the entire scene the Christians had been begging, pleading with Shylock for mercy. Portia even made her extremely emotive speech starting "the quality of mercy is not strained" but when judgement comes the Christians are loath to show any of this themselves. In all fairness, the fact that the blatantly villainous Shylock will not win his case, and the law can stop it is a great thing in the eyes of the Christians, but surely they should be setting an example of how to be a fair judge, with mercy. Gratiano seems to be the most vocal of the Christians, with many uncouth and inconsiderate lines, which taken out of the context would not be seen as Christian in any way, shape or form. Portia's argument that he, "hath refused it [the money] in open court", shows that Shylock was given many chances to be merciful, but did not relent. This would seemingly deserve any punishment that the Christians could give. But, his punishment was worse than any thinkable and Christian punishment available. Because this is a Shakespearean play, the idea of Antonio's, "that he should presently become a Christian", would probably have been applauded and seen as a great idea. But now, it can be seen as a great destruction of Shylock's human rights. Shylock clung to his faith for support, and was very patriotic, to the extent he was almost a fanatic of Judaism, and this decision would surely have seemed worse than death to him. This is certainly what Shylock thought as he says, "Nay, take my life and all" when he hears the sentence. Also, to a lesser extent, the decision that he should pay for Jessica is also very harsh. Shylock has already grieved for her, and is ready to move on but now has been forced to think about her again, and to think about his old religion even more.
In conclusion, I can see that Shylock has been victimised throughout his life. This discrimination can explain many things that he has done throughout this play and, therefore, I think that up until the elopement of Jessica, Shylock is a victim - a victim of prejudice, a victim of his circumstances, and a victim of his peers. Jessica's elopement with a Christian is a major turning point in the play, with, I think, a noticeable change in the way Shylock regards Christians. Before this event, I believe Shylock was attempting to peacefully co-exist with the Christians, and tried to make life easier by lending money without usury. But, after the elopement, Shylock can be seen to be definitely more villainous, it is very clear, not ambiguous. Up until the trial scene he is a proper villain, the genuine article who would have been hated by everyone, he had no support. But, I think that the judgement by the Christians was wrong. They had been so sure that they were for justice, but the truth is, when they forced him to change his religion they were not being Christian, they had sunk to his level. This can be confirmed in a sentence by saying, Shylock is a villain, but to a certain extent this villainy can be understood because of the actions of others towards him. He is a villain, because he has been victimised.
08/05/2007 Page 1 Jonathan Fulwell 10W
