In act 2 Scene 3, Jessica, is talking to Lancelot, the clown, about her plans to run away with Lorenzo, a Christian man. Although in modern day society we might feel that Jessica is entitled to her freedom, in Shakespearean time, it was customary for a daughter to live by her father’s rules. ‘Become a Christian and thy loving wife.’ Jessica shames no only Shylock’s household but most importantly his religion, which he honours and respects. This again contrasts with Portia, as she obeys her father and retains an immense honour for him even though he has passed away. ‘I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father’s will.’ Jessica also doesn’t realise the true extent of Shylock’s humiliation because she wants to run away with a Christian, who is one of Antonio’s friends. In terms of Shylock, Antonio illustrates everything that he hates about the Christians and so Jessica’s dishonour would, therefore, be far greater.
In act 2 scene 5, Shylock goes out to dinner with Bassanio and Antonio, leaving Jessica in charge of his household. Whilst he is gone she steals his money and elopes with Lorenzo. This depicts Shylock as a victim because all his fortune has been taken. Even when he had his wealth, he was treated as second class and yet the poorest citizen would be of a higher status. ‘Give him a present? Give him a halter!’ This portrays the disrespect that even a successful Jew was shown. Jessica also takes a ring which is of sentimental value to Shylock. ‘I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.’ Shakespeare conveys Shylock’s reaction, illustrating that he is capable of feelings beyond the emotions of loosing his money.
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 the Venetian society views Shylock. They refer to him as "The villain Jew" and their hatred of him means he can be seen as a victimized character. This therefore creates sympathy for Shylock because he is very religious and he clings to his faith and money for support. A Shakespearean audience would, most probably, have laughed at Shylock’s misfortune, as the play is meant to portray him as a comic character. This means that although we feel compassion towards Shylock, the audience should also understand that it is not a tragic play.
In act 3 Scene 1, Shakespeare illustrates Shylock’s desire for equality and evokes sympathy from the audience by depicting him as a victim. ‘Hath a Jew not eyes? Hath not a Jew hands……fed by the same food, hurt by the same weapons.’ Shakespeare uses repetition to enforce the idea that both the Jew and the Christian are made up of the same organs and that in being prejudiced towards the Jewish nation, the Christians are mocking their own lifestyles as well. The audience also begin to sympathise with Shylock because it illustrates the hardships that the Jews consistently had to deal with. ‘If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge!’ Shylock also uses the Christian teaching to show Salerio that he should be allowed to keep Antonio to the bond. ‘If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why revenge!’ Shakespeare shows the irony of the situation and portrays Shylock’s sense of justice, which lead the reader to believe that he is fighting for a cause and not just his own pride. Although this is the perspective that a modern day audience may have gained, in the 16th century they would have believed that Shylock was merely trying to spite the Christians. Our society has witnessed far more injustice and racism in the world and so, although Shylock is meant to be a comic character, in the eyes of a modern audience, he is seen as more of a victim of his society.
After Shylock takes Antonio to court, he is finally beaten as Portia, disguised as a young lawyer, finds a loophole in the bond. ‘Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more but just a pound of flesh.’ Shylock must also give one half of his wealth to the state and the other half to Lorenzo and Jessica. This is again ironic as his ‘Christian ducats’ are being given back to a Christian and worse still, to his daughter who dishonoured him and stole his riches. The second condition is that Shylock must become a Christian. ‘He presently become a Christian.’ This is one of the key problems for a modern audience, as many people follow a religion and relate with its teachings. To be forced into conversion by the ones you hate evokes sympathy from the audience as, to a large percentage of the population, religion enables them to seek guidance from a greater source. This means that the audience can relate with the character of Shylock, hence portraying him as a victim.
Throughout the ‘Merchant of Venice’ religion plays a key role in the prejudice towards the Jews, as the Christians feel that they are saving the Jews souls by converting them to Christianity. When Shylock is told his fate, Shakespeare conveys his emotions by shortening Shylock’s speeches, as he realises that he has been defeated. ‘I am content.’ This makes the reader sympathise with Shylock because he respected his religion and worked hard for the money he earned, and in a matter of days they have all been taken away from him. In addition Shylock must also beg for mercy in front of the duke if he wishes to be forgiven. ‘Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke.’ This would be, in Shylock’s eyes, the ultimate humiliation, as they are trying to physically bring him down and beg for forgiveness. ‘Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that.’ Shylock finally leaves the courtroom a broken man and as the audience you begin to understand the reasons for his actions. This is the last time that Shylock is present on stage as he is absent for the final ‘happy’ scene, where Portia and Bassanio are reunited. Although he is only present in five scenes, Shylock leaves a great impact on the audience as he is a representation of many people, facing prejudice and injustice in the world today.
On the other hand, Shylock is also portrayed as a villain who delights in the prospect of cutting a pound of flesh from a noble merchant who has exposed his corrupted ways. He could be seen as a bloodthirsty fiend who cares more for his money than his runaway daughter and is given several chances to beg for mercy.
For example; In Act 1 Scene 3 Shylock decides that he will lend money to Antonio on the condition that if it is not re-paid within the three months then a pound of flesh will be taken from Antonio’s body. ‘A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man.’ This portrays Shylock a man who is intent on taking revenge on the Christians. It also illustrates his villainous character as he hopes that Antonio’s merchant ships will not return. Later on in the play Shylock finds out that the vessels have sunk and he becomes filled with excitement at the prospect of carrying out the bond. ‘Good news, good news. Ha ha! Heard in Genoa!’ Shakespeare shows that although there is great prejudice towards the Jews, Shylock is cold hearted and in a sense acts in the same way as the Christians he despises.
After Shylock finds out about the disappearance of his daughter along with his precious jewels and riches his priorities are soon brought to light. ‘O my ducats! O my daughter!’ Although this is only Solanio’s account, and could be the contortion of the truth, Shylock later mentions his hatred for his daughter as he wishes she were dead. ‘I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear; would she were hearsed at my foot and the ducats in her coffin.’ Shakespeare illustrates that although they are related, Shylock has no intention of forgiving her and would rather she were dead with her crime placed upon her. He also makes many more references to his financial loss than to his personal and family loss. It also illustrates his cruel nature which is later displayed in the court room, where Antonio is on trial. This scene could also perhaps justify why Jessica did run away from home as Shylock is depicted as a heartless father, interested only in his own well being.
In Act 4 Scene 1 Shylock and Antonio are at court in dispute about the bond that was drawn up. In this scene Shylock is relentless and neither the Duke nor Bassanio can persuade him against carrying it out. ‘For three thousand ducats here is six.’ Soon after, Antonio accepts his punishment but Shylock shows no remorse and is merely spurred on by Gratiano’s insults. ‘Currish Jew.’ When Portia poses as a young lawyer and tells Shylock that his reasons are justified, he begins to sharpen his knife in preparation. This portrays Shylock as a villain as he is unmoved by the attempts to save Antonio and is ready with his scales to weight the flesh. ‘Are there balance here to weigh the flesh?’ and ‘I have them ready.’ Shakespeare also illustrates his bloodthirsty nature as Shylock will not allow a surgeon to stand by and supervise as this was not specified in the bond. ‘I cannot find it; `t is not in the bond.’ This scene also makes the reader sympathise with Antonio, as he seems to have learnt about forgiveness and the persecution of the Jews. ‘To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content.’ Shylock, in contrast, is shown mercy by the Christians, and is given numerous opportunities to relent, (all of these ending unsuccessfully.) ‘How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none?’ Shylock’s failure in the end and the victory of Portia would seem to suggest that Shakespeare is presenting him as a villain. He uses imagery of blood and death to symbolise Shylock’s intentions and depicts Antonio as the victim who has learnt from his mistakes.
In conclusion I think that Shylock is more convincingly depicted as a victim from both a 16th century and modern audience point of view. The ‘Merchant of Venice’ is a comedy and therefore there is no true villain. As a result the villainous character is ridiculed, rather than killed at the end of the play. He is also a victim of the society around him and could be perceived as a clean living, working man who merely wishes to conduct his business unimpeded. Being persecuted by the Venetian citizens and later shamed by his daughter’s conversion to Christianity leads the reader to sympathise with the character. He also must give away, in his opinion, the two most important things; Money and religion. As religion plays a key role in the understanding of Shylock’s character, I think it is acceptable to say that most of his actions were justified and that Shakespeare successfully conveyed Shylock as a victim.
