In the first meeting between Antonio and Shylock, Shakespeare emphasises the contrast between the characters immediately. Shylock says,
“Rest you fair, good signor.” (Bows to Antonio)
As a first time viewer of the play, Shylock would appear to be very two-faced, In the soliloquy he speaks about how much he hates Antonio and yet when speaking fact to face he is extremely nice, and even bows to him. However, after studying the play Shakespeare is showing the audience that Shylock is being sarcastic and almost laughing in Antonio’s face. He enjoys having power over Antonio. This is called dramatic irony Shakespeare uses this to how ironic the situation between Antonio and Shylock, he shows the audience that Shylock is very two-faced and that he cannot be trusted.
Antonio, on the other hand, is very rude to Shylock.
“The devil can cite scripture for his purpose.”
A Shakespearian audience would have expected him to be rude to Shylock because he was a Jew. This is because all of the Shakespearean audience would have believed that Antonio should talk down to Shylock because he is a worthless Jew. Also from what the audience have seen from his Character they would have agreed with Antonio’s decision to be rude to Antonio, because of the comments that shylock had made behind Antonio’s back. Antonio calls Shylock the devil. This creates imagery because it shows what is thought of Shylocks character. The audience can imagine Shylock’s character as a devil. A Shakespearian audience would have believed Antonio and thought the worse of Shylock. However, a modern audience would sympathise with Shylock. Although he has been rude to Antonio, it is done behind his back. It does spare his feelings but Antonio does not. He criticises Shylock to his face. This shows that Antonio is not a fawning publican because he is not pretending to be nice to Shylock. This is dramatic irony because Antonio was accused of being a fawning publican when really Shylock was actually the fawning publican.
Shylock has pretended that he does not care that Antonio disapproves of him. When Antonio asks about borrowing money the audience now see that he does care.
“I am as I like call thee so again.”
Antonio says he would do all that he has done to Shylock again. He does not regret it. A Shakespearean audience would have agreed that Antonio should not regret it, they would have agreed with all the comments that Antonio made, they would not spare a feeling for Shylock; he was a Jew. A modern audience however, would sympathise with Shylock. Shylock however, reacts differently to how either audience would expect him to react. He tries to calm Antonio down and make peace with him. A modern audience may believe that Shylock is being cunning and trying to get Antonio on his side and trying to be more business like. Shylock uses the power of his money.
Shylock’s act of friendship and sensitivity does not last. Within a few lines he reveals his expectations for the bond.
“Be nominated for an equal pound of your flesh, to be cut off and taken from what part of your body pleases me.”
This is said in a jocular manner and a Shakespearian audience would have believed that Shylock is being serious and expects Antonio’s ships to fail. This is a clever and cunning plan of Shylock’s. In the scene Antonio is portrayed as a naive businessman. He is jumping into a bond without considering his options or consequences. He desperately wants to get the money for his best friend so he can travel to Belmont to seek his love, Portia. Antonio has trust that his ships will not fail him. He accepts the offer of the money. This shows that Antonio is a very confident person. It also shows that Antonio is a naive business man and jumps into decisions before thinking and discussing them.
In Act two, Scene two, Shylock is proved to be a mischievous character. He is referred to several times during the play as the
“Devil”.
In Lancelot Gobbo’s soliloquy he calls Shylock a devil. Not only does he say this once he repeats it twice. Shakespeare is using repetition to emphasise how little he thinks of Shylock. Lancelot believes that Shylock is the devils soul in a human’s body. The audience are now made aware how much other characters in the play hate him. It is not just Antonio who dislikes him. Shakespeare uses dramatic imagery to give the audience the image of an evil devil. Also, the fact that Lancelot is Shylock’s servant shows that he is not a very nice person to work for.
In Act two, Scene three, the audience see Jessica criticising her father, Shylock.
“Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil.”
Even Shylock’s own daughter refers to him as the devil. This demonstrates that Shylock is happy to be a devil as Jessica referrers to him as a merry devil. He is proud of his money, his daughter and his power.
Shakespeare shows more sides of Shylock’s character. Showing that he has no sense of fun and keeps Jessica locked in the ‘house of hell’. Shylock is in charge within his own home. Jessica is ashamed to be her father’s child. She believes she is nothing like him and never wants to be like him!
Lancelot, Shylock’s servant, is leaving him to work for Bassanio. Shylock is very upset, even insulted, that his servant should leave him, for a Christian. The modern audience feel sympathy for Shylock because his own servant has left him for Bassanio who is one of Antonio’s closest friends and of whom he hates the most. However, in the next line he shows the audience that when he is upset he displays it with anger.
“For I dream of money bags tonight.”
Shakespeare is emphasising Shylock’s greed for money. Shylock believes that even if he has nothing he will have money and that is all he will ever need.
Act two Scene eight, Shakespeare again uses Solerio and Solario to contrast and discuss recent events. This is done for the benefit of the audience. Shakespeare uses the characters in the play to re-cap on events. He also makes contrasts and comparisons between the characters Antonio and Shylock. They praise Antonio, calling him the great Antonio, and dismiss Shylock’s as the unacceptable Jew. However, they both have similarities. They have both lost someone very close. Antonio, Bossanio gone to seek his love, Portia; and Shylock, his daughter Jessica who has eloped with a Christian. Shylock is furious over this.
“My daughter! Oh, my ducats! Oh my daughter! Fled with a Christian! Oh, my Christian ducats! Justice! The Law, and my daughter!”
Shylock is mocked as he runs through the streets begging the Duke to find Jessica. Shylock regards her as a procession and cares more about his money than he does his daughter. A Shakespearean audience would have found Shylock’s losses amusing. However, the modern audience may sympathise with him as he has lost everything he cares about. A modern audience are able to see Shylock and Antonio as people rather than religions. A modern audience will realise that they have both lost everything dear to them and both deserve sympathy. Shylock now has nothing. Even now, the audience can see the reason for Shylock’s interest in Justice.
Solerio and Solario uses a direct contrast with Shylock.
“A kinder Gentleman treads not the earth.”
They praise Antonio. Solerio tells Solario of Bossanio’s and Antonio’s parting. He tells of Antonio’s emotion. Solerio thinks that Bossanio was the only thing that kept Antonio going. He thinks he lives for Bassanio. This demonstrates how much of a good friend Antonio is. He would do anything for Bossanio. Antonio is genuinely upset when Bossanio leaves. He does not care about the money. He wants his friend to be happy and achieve his desires.
In Act three, Scene one, the audience hears news of another Antonio’s ships being sunk and grounded on a sandbank. Antonio is again referred to as ‘the good’ by Solario and Shylock again referred to as the devil. When Shylock enters the scene he is taunted by the Christians. This provokes him into an angry outburst about Antonio.
“Let him look to his bond.”
Shylock repeats this three times. This shows exactly how Shylock feels. Even though all the Christians are mocking him Shylock has regained his power and now holds Antonio’s life Shylock can now fulfil his revenge. It builds up to the trial and also suggests that Shylock may have been joking when he first stated the conditions of the bond.
Nobody expects Shylock to go through with the bond, Solerio says
“Why, I am sure, if he forfeits thou wilt not take his flesh.”
This provokes Shylock into another fit of rage. The Shakespearean audience might have thought he was being overly dramatic and dogmatic. However, a modern audience would understand that Antonio did agree to the terms of the bond and therefore be followed through as agreed. However the bounds agreements are some what strange, both audiences would expect Shylock to forget about the bound and come to another agreement. Shylock following through with the bond shows how inhuman Shylock really is. Religion should make no difference in the eyes of the Law.
Shylock’s second outburst is one of the most famous speeches within the play. “I am Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?”
Shylock is pleading with the audience for acceptance. A modern audience will emphasise with him. He did not ask to be in this situation, Antonio came to him. Shylock was doing his job. Now that Antonio is unable to pay him back, shylock is expected to drop the bond. He feels that because he is a Jew people walk all over him. He will not let this happen. He wants justice.
Shylock wants to take his revenge this evident in the quote,
“If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And, if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”
Shylock is so thirsty for revenge and justice, that he begins not to care what the Christians think of him. He wants revenge on all Christians especially Antonio. The audience can see that Shylock does not care for mercy and is obsessed with justice and revenge. This is a dramatic build up to the final scene. The audience can also see what kind of character Shylock is. In this particularly part of the play he is clearly portrayed as a villain demanding revenge.
Shylock’s speech is followed by Tubal’s entrance. He brings news, Jessica cannot be found.
“I would my daughter were dead at my feet, and the ducats and the jewels in her ear!”
Shylock expresses a shocking greed for money. This demonstrates an obsession withy money and power; an obsession that would most would find distasteful. Shylock places his money before his daughter. He is irate with his daughter. She not only left him for a Christian, but took his most precious possessions and caused others to mock him openly. This has caused Shylock’s desire for revenge and hurt. Shakespeare is showing the audience Shylock’s obsession with money. This is also the build up to the court scene. The audience can sense tension and curiosity as to who will win.
In the lead up to the court date the Duke, 20 merchants and the magnificos have all tried to reason with shylock. The Duke says shylock is a
“bear shape of a man.”
This shows that they are all on Antonio’s side because he is Christian and does not deserve to die. It also shows how well liked Antonio that all the important people within the community are willing to fight for his life. Shylock is very envious of Antonio. So many people want Shylock to forget about the bound and accept more money.
Jessica emphasises that even before the ships had sunk, Shylock had hoped that Antonio would not be able to pay. This shows the audience that when the bond was first agreed Shylock was not joking about the pound of flesh. This again portrays Shylock as a scheming villain. The audience may feel great sympathy for Antonio at this point in the play. Jessica has great sympathy “poor Antonio”.
She knows her father well and knows what he is capable of. The audience are reminded of the picture of the devil discussed earlier. They now see exactly what shylock is capable and how is truly a fawning publican.
In Act three, Scene three, the audience see Antonio and Shylock head to head. Shylock pays a private officer to lock Antonio up, so that he cannot escape Venice. Antonio pleads with his gaoler to let him go and see Shylock. The gaoler lets him go. This demonstrates to the audience the widespread feelings of sympathy for Antonio. Shylock’s reaction to Antonio is unsympathetic. He shows no sign of mercy. Shylock mocks Antonio,
“This is the fool that lent out money gratis.”
Intimating that he was foolish to lend money without worry or planning. Shylock is mocking Antonio’s job and looking down on him. Shylock no he has control over Antonio and is enjoying it.
Antonio pleads with shylock calmly and politely. Shylock does not listen and speaks again repeatedly referring to the word, bond. Shylock is again portrayed as being obsessive in regard to the bond and being in control. “Beware my fangs.”
Shakespeare creates imagery. During the play Shylock has also been referred as a dog. The audience can picture Shylock as a dog hunting its prey. Shylock is being ironic, because he is referring to himself as a dog.
Pleading with Shylock is pointless. Antonio now realises why Shylock wants his life. Shylock is envious and angry with Antonio. His life is perfect. He has friends, money and respect. Shylock has none of these things. His envy and anger is pointed at Antonio. However, shylock has the power to ruin Antonio’s world and he does not want to give this power up.
At the end of Act three the characters are filled with emotion. Shylock is driven by vengefulness. Antonio, on the other hand remains patient and calm. Shakespeare is building the tension and contrasting the characters.
The Court Scene opens. It echoes the tone of Act four Scene one. The Duke is presiding over the case. Antonio has many supporters. There are no supporters of Shylock. The Duke sympathises with Antonio. He insults Shylock.
“A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch.”
This emphasises again how little liked Shylock is within the characters of the play. It also contrasts the standing of the two major characters, shylock and Antonio.
The Duke expects Shylock to relent, not expecting Shylock to follow through the terms of the bond. However, Shylock believes that if he kills Antonio it will be the end of his problems. This shows how immoral Shylock is. He is prepared to kill out of pure jealousy.
“We all expect a gentle answer Jew.”
The Duke addresses Shylock as a Jew. This may be shocking to a modern audience, expecting him to be impartial and professional.
The Duke asks Shylock to pity Antonio and show mercy. However, Shylock states that he cannot go back on an oath. Shylock is also aware that the Duke cannot stop him fulfilling out the terms of the bond. To do so would seriously harm trade throughout Venice as no bond could be guaranteed. Shylock is also confused. What is so wrong about taking a pound of flesh?
“What if my house be troubled by a rat, and I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats to have it banned?”
This portrays Shylock in a comic way and demonstrates how Shakespearian audiences may have recognised the play as a comedy. This speech links back to an earlier speech, “hath not a Jew eyes?”. Shylock says his main reason for going through with the bond is because he hates Antonio.
In the Courtroom Shylock is continuously insulted by Christians. Antonio however, refuses to mock or insult him. Shylock says for once in his life he has power. Antonio gives up arguing and pleading his case.
“As seek to soften that – his Jewish heart.”
Antonio realises it is not possible to change Shylock’s mind.
The Duke questions Shylock,
“How is God going to let you into Heaven with no mercy.”
However, Shylock believes he is right. He is merely carrying out the conditions of the bond. He therefore does not fear judgement.
Mercy is a vital element of Christianity. Everyone believes that Shylock will relent because mercy is demanded in the Old Testament. Portia gives a religious and powerful speech. However, shylock remains unrelenting. Shylock calls Portia a
“Daniel”.
A Jew whose judgement once saved an innocent party from revenge. A Shakespearian audience would have recognised this as a build up to the killing. They would have known the bible.
Antonio bears his pound of flesh. Shylock has scales with him. This is a use of a prop to demonstrate the kind of character Shylock is. Shylock has no mercy. He went to court solely to get what they both signed for.
“This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood.”
Portia says he will lose everything if there is one drop of blood. Shylock finally gives in. This shows that shylock is not only prejudiced and racist but also that all he cares about is his wealth.
The Duke decides that half of shylock’s money shall go to Antonio and the other half to the state. The Duke also shows mercy. Antonio states that of his half, half shall be given to Jessica when Shylock dies.
“I’d rather die than loose my money.”
Again this demonstrates Shylock’s greed and obsession with wealth. Shylock could not contemplate life without money. Antonio’s final decision was to make Shylock a Christian. A Shakespearian audience would have thought this quite reasonable and even amusing. A modern audience would recognise this as forcing your will on another; something that may be considered unchristian.
Shylock’s last line of the play,
“I am content.”
There are many options in which this should be said. It may be stated in several tones; sarcastic, ironic or sincerely. I believe the most appropriate would be the ironic tone. Shylock has lost everything. All that he had and valued is gone to those he despised.
Antonio says that Bassanio should give the judge (Portia) his ring because of all he has done. Antonio takes the blame for Bassanio when Portia finds out about the missing ring.
“My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord will never more break faith advisedly.”
Antonio swears on his soul for Bassanio. At the end of the play everyone has been paired-off except Antonio. He has lost Bassanio and Gratiano. They all live in Belmont and he lives in Venice. Also in Venice Shylock is left with nothing and left to rot.
Antonio and Shylock are both very different characters, Antonio a good, honest and decent man. He does not agree with the way that Shylock lives and treats other people. Antonio is a popular man within the community and has several close friends who would do anything for him. Shylock however, is an evil, dishonest and untrustworthy man. He is obsessed with money and possessions; he even regards his own daughter as a possession. Shylock is so envious of Antonio that he so focused on gaining revenge on Antonio. He is referred and talked about several times within the play. The most common insults are; the devil himself, a dog and inhuman. Each of these insults shows the audience how the characters in the play view Shylock as a character. He is hated within the community and unlike Antonio he does not have any friends. Shylock does not even have friends within his Jewish community. So in respects to the characters personality they are the complete opposites too each other. However, there are some similarities between the two characters; they both have lost somebody close to them. Shylock and Antonio act in different ways, Shylock is upset, he shows this sadness trough anger and makes a mockery of him self. Antonio is praised when he says good bye to his loss, and reacts sadly but does not show his emotion. Antonio and Shylock both live in Venice where money is a key role, however there approach to this is different. Shylock is only in it for the money and to make fools of those who borrow money off him and cannot pay him back. Although Antonio lends out money to whoever needs it, as long as they eventually pay him back Antonio is glad to help. Antonio also pays off debts for those who owe money to Shylock. Antonio does not agree with Shylocks usury and proves that he is there for the people of Venice when they need financial support, proving that he is the true merchant of Venice.