The fact that Antonio’s friend Bassanio wishes to borrow money from Shylock fires up the anger between them. We learn that Antonio has spat on Shylock and called him a ‘dog.’ Because Antonio has refused friendship with Shylock Shylock fells obliged to
‘Feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.’
Act 1 scene 3 lines 38
This imagery shows us that anti-Semitism is steeped in history. It also gives us an insight into how deep the hatred runs.
The Duke, the figurehead of Venice and one of the most vital people in the trial scene describes Shylock as an
‘Inhuman wretch, incapable of pity, void an empty of any dram of mercy.’
Act 4 scene 1 lines4-5
Although the Duke is obviously being biased to his fellow Christian he is implying that Shylock will enjoy torturing Antonio. He is showing that he believes that Shylock is evil. Antonio supports his viewpoint when he compares trying to stop Shylock to trying to stop a ‘flood’ or to
‘Forbid the mountain pines to wag their high tops.’
Act 4 scene 1 lines 75-76
The use of such powerful imagery by Shakespeare makes the audience believe that Shylock really is incapable of mercy.
In the trial scene Gratiano creates a picture of Shylock as evil and inhuman by describing him as
‘Starved Wolfish, bloody and ravenous.’
Act 4 scene 1 line 138
Although through Gratiano’s eyes this is an evil way of behaving I think Shakespeare meant there to be another side to this metaphor. A wolf only kills so that it can feed and survive. Shylock does not need to kill to live but maybe he feels he does in order to survive in a society with so much prejudice stacked against him and his beliefs.
Even Bassanio who at times is portrayed to the audience as naïve and foolish suspects Shylocks character. He warns Antonio not to enter into the bond
‘For I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind’
Act 1 scene 3 line 172
This is quite out of character for this young man who does not always appear to think of the consequences of his actions. It sounds more like something that Antonio would say. But Antonio can’t say it if he is going to fall for shylock’s ‘fair terms’. I think Shakespeare wanted to get this line in to build up suspicion and suspense around the character of shylock; this is why Bassanio speaks the line.
Even Shylocks daughter Jessica is
‘Ashamed to be my father’s child.’
Act 2 scene 3 line 16
She must know shylock better than anyone. If she does not have anything good to say about him than I doubt anyone will. She even suggests the idea of him being a devil again when she says ‘our house is hell.’ The alliteration emphasises this statement and makes it clear for the audience to pick up. These statements by his daughter show Shylock in a very bad light.
Shylocks own behaviour supports the Christians view. He treats his daughter as a slave, to come to his call ‘What Jessica!’ He also bans her from enjoying her self at the Christian’s masque, no reason can be given for this, Shylock Is being mean to her.
Though prejudice Christian’s make Shylock out to be a very materialistic man he does value some things above his ‘ducats’. When he hears that Jessica has sold his turquoise ring for a monkey he seems distraught;
‘I had it off Leah when I was a bachelor, I would not have sold it for a wilderness of monkeys.’
Act 3 scene 1 lines 96-97
Leah was his wife, the fact that he gets so distressed over the ring indicates that he is sentimental rather than miserly and he is a victim to his daughter’s heartlessness.
He puts his daughter above his money. When his enemies are discussing him, they say that when he heard the news about his daughter eloping his first words were ‘o my daughter’ indicating she was her first concern. When he confronts them, aiding Jessica’s escape, not stealing his ducats is what he accuses them of.
It could be argued that the only reason Shylock said,
‘I would my daughter were dead at my foot.’
Act 3 scene1 lines 69-70
Is that he wanted to save her soul; he did not wish her to be betrayed by a Christian husband. Maybe this is justified as later on in the trial scene he sees how Bassanio and Gratiano betray their wives by giving away their rings given to them by their wives.
I believe that weather Shylock sinned or was sinned against is a highly debatable subject. Yet I have come to the conclusion that he was more sinned against than sinning. He has taken abuse from almost all the characters in the play; he has been discriminated against for no reason except being a Jew. As soon as he seeks revenge (legally) he is described as evil. His situation in this play is best described in his speech in act three scene one,
‘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 making a plea to their shared humanity. He is trying to make them see that they are all equal and should be treated so, the very basis of the Christian religion. This is all he wants, he tries to make them see through words but they do not listen, he is forced into an alternative.
