Shylock’s first line in the play is “Three thousand ducats.” This can be interpreted in two ways; as a man making a living at one of the few occupations open to him, or a greedy, cold, materialistic man. I am of the opinion that Shylock better fits the cold greedy character, as he makes such a big deal about locking up the house (Act 2, Scene 5), thus making the point of protecting his possessions. This shows him as both a victim and a villain, scared of the outside world and mistreated so much that he feels he has to emphasis at length the importance of protecting what is his.
Shylock is soon to be left alone, with no other family, his only daughter Jessica elopes with the Christian, Lorenzo, (a friend of Bassanio’s.) Shylock gains pity from the audience when we learn of Jessica apart of his “own flesh and blood” has gone, meaning that with her gone it is as if a part of him has been taken too, however he soon emerges as a villain when he screams in rage showing his emotions and strong views:
“My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats!”
This shows his hatred for Christians, that his property has more value to him than his daughter.
Soon after Shylock pleas for equality in Act3, Scene 1, we can’t help but see his point of view and pity him.
“…what’s his reason? [Antonio’s reason for hating Shylock] I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons…”
Shylock is trying to say that we are all the same as one another, but just have different religions. It surfaces that Antonio has gone bankrupt, as all his wealth was invested in his ships which have been sunk out at sea. Shylock’s bond has now been activated and he demands his rightful pound of flesh under Venetian law. Antonio is arrested and brought before a court for Shylock to have his bond.
Right from the outset, the court is very one sided in favour of Antonio. The Duke calls for Shylock saying, “Go on, and call the Jew into the court” This shows the Duke as being biased against Jews and Shylock, before they even start. He is obviously influencing the court, with his own prejudiced view; and as a result Shylock is having an unfair trail. He is being judged in a Christian court, not a court of his peers. This earns Shylock some sympathy but when he enters the court he quickly looses it through his words and actions.
He takes out his blade and starts sharpening it on his shoes, quelling any doubt that he will show mercy. He is ready to cut into Antonio’s flesh when Portia (Bassanio’s new wife in the guise of a lawyer) stops him,
“The bond doth give thee here no jot of blood”
Shylock’s insistence that the bond is carried out to the letter, has foiled him, his words are expressly a pound of flesh. Portia reveals the flaw in the bond; Shylock is allowed his pound of flesh but not a drop of blood, which would surely come if he enters his skin.
“If thou doest shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are, by the laws of Venice, confiscated unto the state of Venice”.
The bond that Shylock had created has ruined his plan for revenge. The one thing that Shylock cares for more than anything will now be taken from him if he takes his revenge. The tables have turned, the Venetian law says that a penalty must be paid, because this “alien” has attempted to murder a Venetian citizen. (Shylock is classed as an alien in his home!) His possessions are confiscated because of the attempted murder of Antonio, and the merchant now makes two conditions for the Jew’s life: firstly he must become Christian, and, secondly, he must make a will leaving all of his possessions to Jessica and Lorenzo. Not only has Shylock been converted to a Christian and humiliated in court, he has not been returned his bond nor had justice. The circumstances invoke a profound sympathy for the Jew, in stark contrast to the hatred we had been feeling only moments before. So without his revenge, wealth, or daughter, Shylock (now a Christian) is alienated from his fellow Jews. Ironically he is left alone with nothing but what ruined him - his new found Christianity.
Shylock can be seen as both a comic character, because of his quick-wittedness replies throughout the play, and tragic because of the loss of his daughter, friend and possessions. I think he has been driven to the very edge of insanity, from the torment and prejudice forced upon him throughout his life by his own Venetian community. That has led him to such misfortune and bitterness and I am left feeling that Shylock is both villain but more so victim.
Andrew Lavery S1F