Is Shylock portrayed as a Victim or a Villain?

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Ben Harris        10 JKF        Mr Altman

Do you consider Shylock to be a victim or a villain?

In the Merchant of Venice, there are many characters. However, Shylock plays the most important role, by being perceived as a money loving, heartless Jew. Despite his importance he does not appear as frequent as some other characters. Shylock, however, adds the flair, excitement and complexity which really makes a thoroughly interesting play. Shakespeare would have written the play at the time with the view that audiences would have laughed at this heartless, money loving Jew. However, modern audiences will show some sympathy towards this unfortunate Jew, which the characters all dislike greatly, you can argue, for no reason.

Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who earns his loving by charging interest on money he lends out. He has few friends, but many enemies. This is clearly made evident by all the insults that are thrown at him. “faithless jew”, “currish spirit” and “old carrion” are some of the many insults aimed at Shylock during the play. However it is not possible to find friendly and caring words about Shylock, that are not mockeries. This pretty much sums up the character on the whole.

Shylock's entrance to the play immediately hints at his love of money. “3000 Ducats; well”, being his first sentence in the play, doesn't immediately suggest his love of money. But after reading on, this is clearly evident that this first sentence is there for a discrete reason, as throughout the play his love of money is clear, with many quotes like “Fast bind, fast find, a proverb never stale in thrifty mind.” This shows his love of possessions over people, even his own family. Shylock also is stereotypical. He hates Antonio “for he is a Christian”, these intentions shown early on in the play.

Shylock's reason for hating Antonio is unclear at the start of the play. However, apart from the religious difference, there seems to be hatred because of Antonio's finances. “He lends out money gratis” is  Shylock's only given reason in writing for his hatred of Antonio, but i think that the religious difference plays the biggest part because the Jews seem to be treated differently to the Christians, from what I have seen in the play. Religious hatred seems to be a lot worse when the play was written, as Jews didn't seem to be accepted in the community at the time, while they are now.

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Despite Shylock's hatred for Antonio, Shylock lends 3000 ducats to Antonio, no interest involved. Also, if the deal isn't repaid he gets to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio. It is hard to see if Shylock is genuinely willing to be friendly with him saying, “I would be friends with you, and have your love”. This shows that Shylock could well be very forgiving, but he has been broken so badly by the Christians, it seems like it is his duty to bring the Christians down. Shylock's complete hatred is made evident when he says “let the forfeit ...

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