How Does Shakespeare's Presentation Of Shylock Affect Our Response To The Character?

Authors Avatar

How Does Shakespeare’s Presentation Of Shylock Affect Our Response To The Character?

In Venice during the 1590s, Jews were really badly discriminated against; they had to wear a red cap whenever they went outside and they had to live in the ghetto.  They were not allowed to own any business nor to interact with Christians.  In the play, Shylock didn’t adhere to these and was obviously hated by Antonio and the other Christians.  He was repeatedly called a ‘cur’ or a dog.  

In IIiii, Shakespeare prepares us for what is about to happen in IIv when both Jessica and her father Shylock are together.  The relationship between the two of them is not very good and therefore Jessica wants to elope with Lorenzo.  She sends a letter to him via her father’s servant.  Jessica is a Jew and her father would be extremely disappointed in her if he found out she wanted to become a Christian, his rival religion.  In IIv Shylock leaves Jessica alone in the house while he goes out making sure she locks all the windows and doors so no-one can burgle the house and take the money.  This is a bit ironic because that is exactly what happens.  When he leaves Lorenzo comes via gondola and asks her to come with him.  She then takes her fathers money and elopes with the Christian.  In this scene I believe Shakespeare displays Shylock as a man who was cheated on and deserted.  I believe Shakespeare has caused the audience to be slightly sympathetic for Shylock.

Join now!

In IIIv and IVi Jessica starts to question herself about if it was a good choice to leave her rich father for the love of the not so rich, in comparison to the amount of money that Shylock has, Lorenzo.  Shakespeare starts to turn the audience towards Shylock and the fact that his daughter doubts herself for deserting him.  This causes us to question ourselves as to whether we should feel sorry for him or not.

In IIIi, Shakespeare displays Shylock as a caring person in two different ways, firstly by being a caring father and worrying about his daughter ...

This is a preview of the whole essay