I feel that the evidence to suggest he is evil is much greater than the evidence which supports the concept that he is a victim. There are many incidents to show that he is a villain. Shakespeare tries to show the audience Shylock’s spite and hatred for Antonio. He tries to show us how Shylock is a villain. There is lots of evidence of this throughout the whole of the play. For example in act 3 scene 3, lines 12-13 he says:
“I’ll have my bond; I will not hear thee speak;
I’ll have my bond, and therefore speak no more.”
This shows that Shylock is completely obsessed by his bond and is resolute on receiving his pound of flesh.
In the play there is a point for me from which I can no longer sympathise with shylock. This point comes after the escape of his daughter and his wealth to the Christians. Shylock says;
“I would my daughter dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear.”
I cannot understand the mentality of anyone who could possibly wish their own daughter to die just for the sake of some jewels and money. This must prove his utter insanity and true evil self if he could say such a terrible thing. This show of extreme villainy even shocks a man of his fellow race –Tubal. At this stage he is distraught but as soon as Tubal tells him of Antonio’s misfortunes his mood changes and he becomes really pleased, this shows his malicious evil character.
He is constantly insulting the Christians and his insults become worse and worse as the play progresses. His only thoughts at the beginning are of a way in which he can get back at the Christians. Another representation of his villainous attributes is when he hears of the misfortunes of Antonio in losing his ships. This therefore means that he cannot repay the loan given to him by Shylock before it is too late and so Shylock can have a pound of Antonio’s flesh;
“Go Tubal, fee me an officer, bespeak him a fortnight before. I will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will.”
So Shylock is saying that he wants Antonio dead so he can operate his business without him interfering. It seems that money is always on Shylocks twisted mind and he wants it whatever bloodshed has to happen so he can have it.
In act 3 scene 3 it seems that Shylock has finally admitted to some of the foul things that the Christians have called him and in line 7 he says:
“But since I am a dog, beware my fangs.”
This proves that he is going to take his revenge with extreme malice and with no mercy. By saying this he proves his villainy.
Even though all this suggests that he is a villain I still feel that he is a victim at times too. I say this because sometimes it doesn’t surprise me that Shylock wants revenge. Shylock has been spat upon all his life for doing one of the only jobs he is allowed to do. Usurers played a very important in Venetian society but only the Jews made it a profession. Jews were very much the outcasts of the business world because of this. This made them very wealthy and it also made the Christians very jealous. Shylock is hated because of his poisonous character as well as for the fact that he is a Jew. Shylock is a person who in society is a reject and who may have had his evil villainous character woven into him by the disgraceful and constant persecution he receives from the Christian society.
So Shylock is constantly cursed, insulted and tormented by the Christians. This may lead the audience to believe that Shylock’s evil and malice are forced upon him by the constant torment that Shylock receives from the Christians. In act 3 scene 1 Shylock tells the audience how he is insulted and how the Christians have cost him friends and money:
“He hath disgraced me, hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies – and what’s his reason? I am a Jew.”
This quote shows the kind of day to day treatment administered to Shylock by the Christians. It is no wonder that he acts so evil and cruel when he gets the odd chance for it is just revenge for the repeated cruelty shown by the Christians.
Also in those times and indeed today usury or money-lending is a necessary evil. The Christians mock and curse Shylock and his partners even though they are lending vital money to their economy all the time. This is something that Christians due to their religion are not allowed to do. Also the Venetian laws stated that Jews could conduct only a few jobs, one of which was usury.
In spite of these points I feel overall inclined to condemn Shylock as a villain, for his evil deeds stand out more prominently than his good ones. For even when the Christians are begging for mercy Shylock is evil and spiteful and shows not even the slightest signs of mercy. But his poisonous, evil would almost of certainly driven him to evil but only to a certain extent. His severely corrupt mind can not have been entirely the work of the Christians.
