In this essay the merchant of Venice, I will discus how Shakespeare makes shylock an unsympathetic character and how people treat and act towards him. I will also talk about how shylocks life changes when he decides to stick to his unusual bond. The action of the play takes place in Venice. The beautiful Italian city is located on the sea coast in the north of Italy. I will support my essay by using quotations as evidence.
Shylock is a rich old Jewish moneylender. He and his daughter live alone with Lancelot gobbo as their servant. Shylock is a respected Jew in his parliament. The moneylender is a Jew, a member of a race feared and despised. Shylock cannot engage in any professions, and is forced into the business of usury-lending money for profit. The Jews were hated for the biblical role in the crucification of Jesus. Shylock is demanded a Jewish villain, Shakespeare allows him to speak for his minority: “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, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed or cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If u prick us do we not bleed? We have to appreciate this argument. It is evident that Shakespeare wants us to have a balanced view. Shylock has ceased to be a popular character, "baited with the rabble's curse," he becomes a half-favourite with the part of the audience, who are supposed to think that Jewish revenge is at least as good as Christian injuries. Shylock is a good hater; "a man no less sinned against than sinning. If he carries his revenge too far, it will comeback to haunt him in the future. He has strong grounds for "the lodged hate he bears Antonio," which he explains his reason. Over daily insults and injuries has crusted over his temper and has hardened him against everyone he loves. There is a strong, quick, and deep sense of justice mixed up with the bitterness of his resentment.
