The language used here is extremely vivid. For example, ‘I would she were hears’d at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin’. Words such as ‘coffin’ and ‘hears’d’ are excellent expression used to really paint a picture in the audience’s mind of Shylock being a heartless murderer. Shakespeare makes it this way so as to create a sense in the audience’s mind of Shylock stood over his daughter’s lifeless body, with his riches returned to him. The effect of this on the audience’s opinion of Shylock is that of Shylock being ruthless and overwhelmingly materialistic. Consequently, Shylock is seen as a terrible villain.
This negative side to Shylock’s character is also highlighted in Act 2 Scene 8, when Salanio speaks of how Shylock reacted to his daughter’s renunciation. Salanio quotes Shylock as saying: ‘A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, Of double ducats, stolen from me by my daughter, And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, stolen by my daughter: justice, find the girl, She hath the stones upon her and the ducats.’ This quote shows how Shylock is frenetic about the loss of his daughter; however, he is inconsolable over the taking of his wealth and possessions. This shows Shylock to be obsessed by money, and greedy and selfish in his pursuit for wealth.
However, half way through Act 3 Scene 1, Shylock has an infinitely poignant speech in which he outlines the prejudices faced by him. This speech confuses the audience over whether Shylock is a villain or a victim. In this speech beginning ‘To bait fish withal…’ Shylock outlines the prejudices facing him and how they have embittered him. This speech appeals to the audience’s sympathy and makes the issue as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain clouded. During the speech, Shylock compares the similarities and differences between himself and Antonio. When explaining why Antonio has shunned him he says: ‘I am a Jew’. This is a massively important moment in the play. Here, the audience is at the point where they are most sympathetic for Shylock as he argues that the reason as to why he has been treated badly is simply for his religious beliefs. Shylock is seen as the victim of racial discrimination, which in modern society is seen as utterly disgraceful.
Shakespeare then continues to put forward Shylock’s case against Antonio by using many figurative language techniques. For example, vivid imagery is used throughout the speech and this is highlighted by quote such as: ‘I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions…’ Here repetition is also used to highlight the fact that aside from their religious backgrounds there is nothing palpably different between Shylock the Jew and Antonio the Christian. Repetition is also used further on in the speech: ‘fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is’. This quote is an excellent example of the fantastic imaginary and persuasive language used by Shakespeare. In this quote the audience is on the side of Shylock, the audience realises that he is a victim of racism and can be forgiven for his misdemeanours. This forgiveness is strengthened by Shylock furthering his argument in a far more forceful way as Shakespeare writes an air of defiance into Shylock’s persona: ‘if you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?’ This quote in particular shows that Shylock, and the entire Jewish race are but only human and in almost every way similar to their Christian counterparts. This has the effect on the audience of thinking that if Shylock is not entirely different from the men on the Rialto and Antonio in particular, why do they hate him so?
Shakespeare created this speech for the character to enthral the audience by creating two characters who oppose each other and who the audience can identify with. However as an alternative interpretation, I also believe that Shakespeare created this speech for the audience to give a voice to the Jewish community and perhaps give them a chance to persuade the Christian community to understand that Jews should not be discriminated against because of their beliefs, nor should any religious community. Shakespeare, in my opinion was not a racist man, nor was he afraid to shock an audience. I believe that Shylock’s speech was designed to both add weight to the conflict between the two men and consequently the two religions and to add weight to the Jewish plight, which in the days of A Merchant of Venice was met with more than a little trepidation.
Whilst the speech uses varying technical devices in order to enthral the audience in Shylock’s plight, the language of the speech can be very ordinary. The language still naturally holds a Shakespearean tone and rhythm, however many sentences are distinctly colloquial. Shakespeare uses this effect in order to make the character seem human. This will help the audience to relate to Shylock. This, in turn, will encourage the audience to continue to question whether Shylock is indeed a victim or a villain, which will interest them further in the play.
The structure of Act 3 Scene 1 is crucial as to whether the audience sees Shylock as a victim or a villain. The structure is worked so as Shylock is seen as a victim one minute and a villain the next. For example, Shylock is seen as a victim in his speech ‘To bait fish withal…’ yet is seen as a villain just minutes in the play later when he is conversing with Tubal about how Antonio has suffered misfortune with his fleet of ships, and is therefore subject to Shylock’s clauses as written in the bond. When Tubal explains Antonio’s disposition to Shylock, he responds by saying: ‘I am very glad of it, I’ll plague him, I’ll torture him, I am glad of it.’ This quote shows the villainous side to Shylock in full light. Shylock is cheered by the news of Antonio’s loss and looks forward to taking his pound of flesh without haste. This structure is one of the main reasons as to why it is unclear to the audience as to whether Shylock is a victim or indeed whether he is a villain.
After Act 3 Scene 1, the audience will be unsure as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. Shylock will be seen as a victim of racism due to his speech ‘to bait fish withal…’ and how the Christians scorn him, for example the rudeness shown to him by Salario and Salarino in the scene. The audience will also feel sympathetic to Shylock, as the one person in the world he thought he could trust in has abandoned him with almost his entire wealth.
However, the audience will also be aware that the character is materialistic, as shown by his response to his daughters fleeing. The audience will also feel that Shylock is viscous and a coward by how he is delighted by the news that Antonio must take the forfeit as written in the bond and Shylock can take a pound of flesh from him.
These conflicting responses, coupled with the structure of this particular scene will make it impossible to decide whether Shylock is definitely a victim or definitely a villain.
Another scene that contributes particularly to answering the question: is Shylock a victim or a villain? is Act 4 Scene 1 (the court scene). In this scene, Shylock is questioned as to whether he is certain he wants to take his bond, and with it Antonio’s life.
This scene is very dramatic, however, the audience would be relaxed as they would expect Shylock to give in to the pressure placed on him and not take his bond, the audience expects Shylock to show mercy and not be the villain that he seems to be.
However, this is not the case until Shylock is forced into negotiating the bond. It is necessary for Shakespeare to not allow Shylock to show mercy to Antonio, as this would be what the audience expects, which of course would make the outcome of the play rather predictable. Instead, suspense is maintained through Shylock’s relentless demand of a pound of Antonio’s flesh. While the audience expects Shylock to capitulate, he does not. This begins to make the audience unsure of the outcome of the play and makes them anxious as to whether the hero, Antonio, will suffer the unthinkable.
Portia also maintains suspense. Bassanio’s new love is acting as a lawyer for Antonio. She is particularly intelligent and is well aware that there are circumstances in the bond that mean Antonio’s life will ultimately be spared. However, she does not make these legislations known to the court for some time. She does this in order to give Shylock the opportunity to prove that he is not an unforgiving man by sparing Antonio’s life and by doing this suggesting that he is misunderstood and mistreated by the Christians. Portia waits right up until Shylock is preparing to plunge the knife into Antonio’s waiting torso before declaring her knowledge: ‘Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more but just a pound of flesh: if thou tak’st more or less than a pound…thou diest, all thy goods are confiscate.’
After Portia has declared this, the suspense is cleared. Shakespeare delivers this scene wonderfully, as the audience are certain that Shylock will surrender, until the knife is almost thrust into Antonio’s chest and Portia prevents the Christians’ death. The suspense is maintained throughout, and the audience are still unsure as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain, which keeps them eternally interested in the play.
A variety of dramatic devices are also used in Act 4 Scene 1. For example, the structure of the scene is used as a dramatic device. The scene is littered with long, drawn out speeches, made by the varying characters, particularly Shylock as he argues his case, and by Antonio who protests his innocence. The Duke and Portia also have large parts to play in this scene. The different characters tend to speak in turn throughout the scene, as one would expect from a court scene. This creates the sense of an argument. This coupled with some strong points from each corner make it very hard for the audience to conclude as to who is in the wrong. However, the underlying consensus will be that Antonio does not deserve to die for his misdemeanours.
This argumentative structure is particularly prominent towards the beginning of the scene. Firstly, the Duke states the case against Shylock and for Antonio, with a speech that is centred on appealing to Shylock’s guilty side, and is designed to make him see sense. The speech has a tone of superiority, even at a time when humility would be well advised, as Shylock holds al the cards. The very last line of the Dukes speech highlights this aloofness, when he spits: ‘We all expect a gentle answer Jew’. This quote is hugely effective in making the audience sympathetic towards Shylock’s cause, as the reference to Shylock’s religious beliefs are completely irrelevant to the running of this trial.
Following this, Shylock has his chance to speak and does so by insisting that he will secure his bond, and take a pound of Antonio’s flesh: ‘And by our Holy Sabbath I have sworn to have the due and forfeit of my bond’.
After both sides have stated their cases, the argument becomes more frantic with the characters remaining stubborn and continuing their argument in short bursts. For example, Bassanio argues with Shylock, suggesting that Shylock is inhumane with rhetorical questions, such as: ‘Do all men kill the things they do not love?’ It is short and well-timed phrases or questionings such as these, which continue throughout the scene, making it difficult for the audience to conclude as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain.
As an alternative interpretation, these rhetorical questions and short, snappy accusations, which Shylock has no chance to dismiss, may reflect the trial itself. The trial is certainly less than fair, and the pressure that the defending characters put on Shylock is also unnecessary. This is similar to the way Shylock is unable to defend himself from the threats and accusations sent his way.
Overall, the structure of the scene makes it very hard for the audience to conclude as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. This is due to the opposing arguments being put forward in turn by each member of the scene, thus creating an uncertainty as to who is in the right, or wrong. These arguments are both equally convincing. However, overall, Shylock is made to be seem villainous by the structure of the scene as he is forced to remain stubborn and repel the opposition time after time as their case is argued often and in short and some long bursts, rather than Shylock denying their pleaful requests once only.
Shakespeare has structured the scene this way in order for the audience to be unsure of who is in the right. The audience members will be able to identify with both sides of the argument, therefore they will want to follow the play further as the suspense is maintained as to who will prevail, and ultimately who will be the victim, and who will be the villain.
As the scene unfolds, Shylock seems to be facing a battle that was lost before he began. The population of the courtroom is against him and his wishes. Shylock faces tremendous pressure from the defenders of Antonio, and Antonio himself, not to mention the Duke (the judge) also.
While Shylock seems to be losing his battle, the audience feels ultimately that right has been done, in saving Antonio’s life, however, there is a sense of injustice as to how Shylock has been treated.
Throughout the scene, Shylock is badgered by his opposition as they try to make him feel guilty for claiming what is rightfully his. This is highlighted by quotes such as: ‘Not on thy sole, harsh Jew, thou maks’t thy knife keen. But no metal can, no, not the hangman’s axe, bear half the keenness of thy sharp envy. Can no prayers pierce thee?’ reasons Gratiano, as he seeks to save Antonio by swaying the mind of Shylock and his conscience.
Shylock continues to seek what is rightfully his, when Gratiano outrages: ‘O be thou damned, inexcrable dog’. This quote shows that Shylock is being treated awfully during the trial, and the trial is anything but fair. However, the audience will side with Antonio because they will believe that he does not deserve to die for his ‘crime’.
However, the truth remains that Shylock has been denied the right to a fair trial and is being bullied by the many people who oppose him, just as they bully him on the rialto. This will endear the audience to Shylock, and will make him seem more of a victim than a villain for large parts of this scene. This is highlighted particularly at the beginning of the scene when the audience believe that he will relent and not exact his revenge on Antonio, and when the Duke opens the case with a speech that is very patronising and cruel to Shylock. For example, the aforementioned quote ‘We all expect a gentle answer Jew’ is the last line in his speech, which will make the audience feel great sorrow for Shylock, as he is seemingly shunned due to his religious beliefs.
Shylock is offered compensation in place of the money he has lost, three thousand ducats and more is offered his way in order to save the life of Antonio. However, Shylock denies this opportunity. This shows that Shylock is not as materialistic and greedy as his reaction to the loss of his daughter had suggested. His reasoning highlights this: ‘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.’ This shows Shylock to have some morals, he will stand by his beliefs, however, this is contradicted as his beliefs involve the murdering of a largely innocent man.
Shylock is offered the money repeatedly throughout the scene. However, he denies it upon every occasion it is thrust in his direction. Antonio and his defence offer the money to Shylock repeatedly in order to appeal to his pocket, and his mind, and ultimately forfeit the bond. However, Shylock will not falter. This creates an opinion in the audience of Shylock being a villain. This is because Shylock must ignore the pleading of the Christians each time they remonstrate with him. This means that Shylock will deny Antonio many times, therefore the audience begin to realise that he is serious about exacting his bond, and taking the life of another, thus rendering him a murderer, and a villain of the highest calibre.
Overall, the fact that Shylock denies the money time after time makes him seem villainous, as he refuses to see reason and spare the life of another for any amount of money. In short, Shylock has a very acceptable way out, and refuses to take it, simply to kill another and restore his false pride.
It may be interpreted that Shylock’s refusal of the ducats in place of Antonio’s life, reflects unfavourably on him when the fate of the case is finally decided. For example, Shylock has decided not to take up the offer of thousands of ducats. This shows that he is a ruthless and bitter man. I believe that the Duke and Portia at the end of the scene remember this, when Shylock’s possessions and wealth is removed from him. In the end, shylock is prosecuted, not Antonio. Perhaps, if Shylock had accepted the money, and not tried to endanger Antonio’s life further, he would not have been so unfortunate at the end of the trial.
This makes Shylock seem a villain, as aforementioned, he must repeatedly deny Antonio, even when he is begging for remonstration.
It is plausible to suggest that Shylock is a victim of racism in this scene. On many occasions, Shylock is referred to as simply ‘the Jew’. Shylock is hated by the members of the court scene for his religion; this has been shown previously on the rialto. Therefore, it is certain that this hatred will be carried into the court scene and the Jew will be prejudiced against because of it. Therefore, Shylock is seen as a victim as he is discriminated against due to his religious beliefs. He is mistreated in the court and not allowed a fait trial.
The audience views as to whether Shylock is a villain or a victim will now surely be varied. For example, many may understand that Shylock has been prejudiced against due to his religious beliefs, throughout the play, and in particular the court scene when he is denied the right to a fair trial, and is in fact being persecuted, when he is not the defendant. Also, the audience must consider that Jessica, his own daughter stole all his wealth, and worldly possessions, therefore Shylock is certainly entitled to feel resentment towards her. Other factors, such as how Shylock is shunned because he simply tries to make a little profit in interest from the money he owes and how he is mistreated by all throughout the play, will certainly endear the audience to the character and increase sympathy for the man. Therefore, Shylock is definitely a victim in many cases.
However, it would be folly to suggest that all of Shylock’s shortcomings are down to luck and the depravity afforded to him. Shylock certainly brings many disappointments upon himself. For example, Shylock could easily have accepted the offer of thousands of ducats in place of Antonio’s life, however, he chose to fight his cause, and in the end paid the price for this. Also, Jessica did not just abandon Shylock through sheer hatred; Shylock was instrumental in her dissipation. The father did not accept his daughter’s wishes and forbid her from acquainting with her love, Lorenzo, due to his Christianity. Here, Shylock is hypocritical. It is cases such as these, which repel the audience from the character and make him seem villainous.
At the beginning of the trial scene, Shylock feels very purposeful and dignified as he is sure he is in the right, and that nobody will be able to deny him his bond, and moreover his revenge on Antonio, which he has sought for some time. He feels proud, justified and vengeful. This is highlighted by quotes such as: ‘…by our holy Sabbath have I sworn to have the due and forfeit of my bond’. This quote shows Shylock to be determined to succeed in ultimately taking Antonio’s life. Here, Shakespeare uses Shylock to create conflicting responses in the audience; they will feel Shylock is villainous because he feels no remorse as to what he is feasibly about to do.
However, this is contrasted by the Shylock that exists at the end of the scene. As he leaves the courtroom, Shylock feels angry, disappointed, wronged, upset, defeated and unfairly treated. Shylock has been persecuted by the court and has lost his battle to take his bond. Shylock’s dejectedness is shown by the following quote: ‘Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that, you take my house, when you do take the prop that doth sustain my house: you take my life.’ Shylock speaks this after learning that everything he owns will be removed from him. The quote shows Shylock’s disparagement. This will cause the audience to feel sorrow for Shylock, as he has firstly been denied his bond and secondly he has lost all that was his, after losing so much earlier in the play when Jessica and Lorenzo fled. The audience will therefore feel that Shylock is more of a victim than a villain in this instance.
Also, the audience will feel bereavement for Shylock, as the Duke was certainly not a fair judge. The judge is particularly prejudiced, as is highlighted in his opening speech in this scene, when he suggests ‘we all expect a gentle answer, Jew’. This is particularly unfair, as immediately pressure is placed upon Shylock to forfeit his bond, which rightfully is his to apprehend. This will endear the audience to Shylock’s cause as he is certainly facing a losing battle against a judge who does not want to see a fair trial.
However, the audience will enjoy another conflicting response as Shylock explains the reasoning he has behind taking his bond and the life of Antonio. Shylock suggests that he wishes to take the bond up because: ‘it is my humour’. This shows that Shylock has no worthy reason, or at least no reason that is viable in the audience’s opinion. This will make the audience see Shylock as a villain because he is taking the life of another, merely for selfish, unsubstantiated reasons.
Overall, after Act 3 Scene 2 the audience will have a much more weighty opinion as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain, as there are many factors which could be used to argue either side of the case. For example, Shylock could be accused of being villainous as he was prepared to take the life of another when there was an easy way out. However, he could also be defended and be seen as a victim of racial discrimination, as he was not allowed the right to a fair trial. Therefore, while there will be far more evidence to suggest that Shylock is either a victim or a villain, the audience will still find it hard to decide one way or the other as the Shakespeare uses Shylock to provoke conflicting responses in the audience.
I think that Shylock is a victim of racism in this scene. However, I do not believe that Shylock is a victim in the scene as a whole. I believe that the defence of Antonio is right to be angered at Shylock, due to his pettiness and grudge-bearing ways. Therefore, I see Shylock neither as a villain or a victim, but as an embittered man who will stop at nothing to get his way, if that is what is required: the character certainly has villainous sentiments, which are shown in full light in this scene.
Another scene that is instrumental in answering the question is Shylock a victim or a villain is Act 3 Scene 2. In this scene, Salerio and Jessica discuss Shylock’s character.
Salerio suggests: ‘never did I know a creature that did bear the shape of a man so keen and greedy to confound a man. He plies the Duke at morning and at night and doth impeach the freedom of the state if they deny him justice. Twenty merchants, the Duke himself, and the magnificoes of greatest port have all persuaded with him, but none can drive him from the envious plea of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond’. This quote shows how unreasonable and resolute Shylock is. Salerio sees Shylock as being ruthless and inconsiderate, he then conveys this to the audience. This quote in particular will make the audience see Shylock as a victim after Act 3 Scene 2.
Moreover, Jessica, Shylock’s own daughter, has no qualms about damning her father. She also suggests that her father is ruthless and stubborn. She tells the other characters that Shylock: ‘would rather have Antonio’s flesh than twenty times the value of the sum that he did owe him’. This shows Shylock to be particularly unreasonable. Once again, the audience will see Shylock as being unnecessary, as he has a perfectly reasonable and acceptable way out of the bond, that would suit him and still damage Antonio, while bringing justice. However, he dismisses this opportunity in seek of the ultimate revenge; the death of Antonio.
Consequently, after this scene, the audience will see Shylock as unnecessary and bloodthirsty. Little sympathy can be felt for Shylock after this scene, and therefore he will be seen as a villain.
However, the audience does not see Shylock as a villain after Act 1 Scene 2. In this scene, Portia discusses the prospective foreign suitors as racial stereotypes. For example, Portia describes the suitors as typical gentleman from their respective countries on six occasions. First, there was the Neapolitan Prince who Portia condemns: ‘he doth nothing but talk of his horse’. Also amongst the suitors was a French Lord, who Portia accuses of being intensely stupid: ‘he will fence with his own shadow’. Portia also refers to a German as being a drunkard, and an Englishman being xenophobic and anomalous.
This scene may serve to create sympathy for Shylock, as the audience may be aware that it is hard to break any racial stereotypical opinions people may have of you, and that these stereotypes are often unfounded and inappropriate. This is highlighted by the way Portia discusses the foreign suitors as racial stereotypes. The audience will feel that Shylock is a victim because no matter how he acts, he will always be seen as a Jew, which in turn means he is seen as being inferior.
Act 3 Scene 3 also helps to answer the question; is Shylock a victim or a villain? During this scene, Shylock ignores Antonio’s pleas for mercy and demands justice. The scene is structured so Shylock is seen as the victim, and then Antonio is seen as the unfortunate party, before once more, Shylock is to be sympathised with. For example, Shylock is seen as a victim when he speaks: ‘Thou call’dst me dog before thou hadst a cause, but since I am a dog beware my fangs’. This quote makes the audience have no sympathy for Antonio, as they think that if the Christian had a little more civility for the Jew when things were going his way, then the Jew may have had a little more mercy for the Christian when the tide had changed. Therefore, Shylock is seen as the victim of Antonio’s purges at earlier stages in the play.
However, once Shylock has left the scene, sympathy is felt for Antonio as he explains his fate to his friend, Salanio. Antonio is seen to give up hope, with quotes such as: ‘The Duke cannot deny the course of law’ and ‘I care not’. Here, sympathy is felt for Antonio, as the audience sense that he should not have to be killed, for helping his friend Bassanio in a lawful manner. Therefore, the audience may feel that Shylock is once more a villain because he is submitting Antonio to an end, which he does not deserve.
The exeunt of Shylock in the scene is an example of the use of excellent stagecraft by Shakespeare, which coupled with the varying levels of sympathy that are awarded to Antonio and Shylock throughout the scene, make it impossible for the audience to definitely determine as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain in the play.
As The Merchant of Venice unfolded, my feelings for Shylock varied dramatically, from feeling sympathetic, to outraged and back again. Shakespeare causes this effect through the excellent use of structure to make it ambiguous as to whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. By alternating the emphasis of each scene to be that of sympathy to Shylock, to disbelief or hatred of the character, Shakespeare uses structure to engage the audience in an already compelling play.
For example, I feel huge sympathy for Shylock when he loses his daughter and with it all his wealth. I also feel sympathy for the character during the opening exchanges of the court scene, when Shylock is denied the right to a fair trial, and a world of pressure is placed on him to show mercy. However, certain scenes balance this when I feel contempt for the character. For example, I find Shylock a selfish and profane man when Shylock almost plunges the knife into Antonio’s chest during the court scene, for no substantial reason. Moreover, in my opinion, Shylock is greedy and belligerent when he reacts to the loss of his daughter, as he is seemingly more concerned with the money and belongings he has been deprived of, rather than the daughter he will never see again.
Overall, I find Shylock a misunderstood, underprivileged and unfortunate man, who is shunned primarily for his religious beliefs. Shylock is detached from society and consequently becomes embittered, ruthless, selfish and greedy, as he must be in order to survive. The Jew is spurned on the rialto, where he tries to make a living and from the general populous where he has nobody to turn to, or gain respect from.
However, I also find Shylock an impossibly stubborn man, who is bound by his pride. The character is certainly not blameless for his loneliness and unhappy existence. For example, he makes his life harder for himself by being racist in not letting his daughter be with the Christian Lorenzo. For this, Shylock is also hypocritical. The Jew is also malicious and unforgiving.
This portrayal of Shylock tells us many things about how the Jews were treated in Shakespeare’s time. The way the character is treated suggests that the Christians, who were ignorant and oblivious to the world that exists outside of their faith, saw Jews as inferior beings. The play also tells us that racial prejudices saw no bounds, as Shylock was treated without any dignity throughout the play, by any of the Christians, aside from perhaps Antonio himself, when surely it would be wise to pay the one who was in control of the situation some respect. The Jewish community were not free to live the life that they wanted, or deserved to expect during Shakespeare’s time, when civil rights were not just unavailable, but discouraged.
There are certain similarities, therefore, between how the Jewish community, and in particular Shylock was treated in the play and the treatment of certain communities in today’s society. For example, prejudice still exists across the world, be it due to skin colour, religion, ideology clashes, or superiority complexes. The perfect examples are the Palestinian crises and the attack on the World Trade Centre. However, fortunately, many prejudices have been eradicated by the concentration on civil rights and the politically correct nations of the world, particularly the more developed countries of the Western world. However, similarities are apparent between the treatment of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice and the treatment of certain present day communities and individuals worldwide.
In conclusion, there are many conflicting responses, which the character of Shylock provokes in the audience. For example, Shylock is often seen as evil, greedy, belligerent, malicious, bloodthirsty, hypocritical, unforgiving, materialistic, bitter and immoral man who is revengeful and persistent. However, Shylock is often seen as misunderstood, unfortunate, and a victim of racial discrimination due to his religion as the audience can understand that the character is not always worthy of his ill treatment.
Shakespeare achieves this effect through many devices. Primarily, Shakespeare uses structure to promote these conflicting responses, by putting them in sequence in the play, thus forcing the audience to constantly reassess their view of the character, as it is ambiguous whether he is wrong, or wronged. Shakespeare also uses figurative language techniques in the play, such as metaphor and repetition in order to reinforce a theme. Several dramatic techniques are used in The Merchant of Venice, such as asides and soliloquy’s, which add emphasis to a section in the play. This coupled with Shakespeare’s traditionally fantastic use of vocabulary and metaphor make the play extraordinary.
I very much enjoyed the play, particularly the question as to whether Shylock is a villain or whether he is just a victim who is misunderstood by all. I also enjoyed the fantastic vocabulary that is expected of Shakespeare and the very clever stage directions, which keep the audience enthralled and unable to decide whether Shylock is a victim or a villain.
Overall, I would suggest that Shakespeare designs Shylock to be a villain, whilst highlighting the circumstances he has had to endure. This will show the audience that while the character himself is in the wrong, the Jewish community is certainly not. The play has a serious underlying theme, which is the battle for equality for all which still fights on today.
However, in my opinion, whilst understanding the horrific prejudices Shylock has had to endure I believe that the character +is a villain, simply because he was willing to take another mans life, and would have be it not for a technicality.