Shylock is one of Shakespeare’s most interesting and challenging characters, how do you explain his actions, motivations and final predicament?

Firstly, I would like to give a brief outlook on what the social and historical background is to this play.

In the time this play is set, nearly all Christians hated the Jews because of their religious beliefs and the way they made their living, by giving out loans and charging interest which was seen as an insult.

I would now like to discuss the way Christians treat Jews in the play, such as Shylock.

The Jews are not treated with much respect and this can be shown by the following quote made by Shylock.

“I am a Jew- hath a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands… as a Christian does?

This quote shows that Shylock feels very deeply about the way Christians treat Jews, inhumanly. The quote seems to show either Shylock trying to appeal to the good nature of Christians or just letting his anger out and speaking about the years of torment he and his family have suffered. Whatever it is, Shylock, is trying to say, I very much agree with his point of view and feel that Jews have been treated wrongly by some and that everybody is equal and entitled to their own beliefs.

Next I would like to discuss how Shylock speaks. Shylock speaks in a very vindictive manner and thinks that everything he says is correct, he seems to try to intimidate Antonio by speaking of religion. This can be shown by the following quote made by Shylock.

“This Jacob from our holy Abram.”

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“This Jacob from our holy Abram.”

This quote tells us that Shylock is very proud of his religion. He tries to use threatening speech at any time as he feels it may erupt Antonio’s anger and show him up in court. However he may be referring to his religion for the obvious reason that he is very angry over his treatment from the Christians. Another reason as to why Shylock speaks in a very vindictive manner could be that he knows he has the upper hand as he has leant the money to Antonio and feels superior to him.

I would now like to discuss how Shylock enters the court in a very confident mood. This can be shown by the following quote made by Shylock.

“By our holy Sabbath have I sworn to have the due and forfeit of my bond.”

This quote shows us that Shylock is determined to receive his bond, he will not go home without it and as he has sworn on the holy Sabbath, which is the holiest day of the week for a Jew, he feels that it is his day. I feel that he does have reason to enter the court with the confidence that he has, however his rudeness or arrogance does not help his cause and in the end we learn that it is his downfall.

I would now like to discuss how Shylock enters the court very stubborn and determined to receive his bond. The following quote shows this.

“I would not draw them. I would have my bond.”

This quote shows us that Shylock is so determined to receive his bond that he says he will not go home without it, even if they were to offer him thrice the amount. He seems very reluctant which may be down to his over confidence. If I were in Shylocks position, I would definitely think twice about what I would do. I feel that Shylocks stubbornness is down to his line of work, where he loans money to those who need it desperately, as the money is his, he feels in control.

I would now like to discuss how Shylock enters the court with power and the law on the Christians. Shylocks control and power can be shown by the following quote.

“But say it is my humour, is it answer’d?”

Shylock leaves the court with the Christians having power over him, as shown by the following quote made by Shylock.

“I’ll go in hate!”

The first quote shows that Shylock is giving very lame answers to the Duke when asked why he wants to put Antonio on trial, this shows he doesn’t think that he requires a reason to put Antonio on trial as Antonio has done wrong. The Duke doesn’t question him again which may suggest he agrees with Shylock or he may just have decided to keep quiet and not stir up a fuss. The second quote quite clearly shows us how Shylock feels about the days events. I think that he is very upset about the court proceedings and so he should be. He was made a mockery of and has lost all he had. He came into the court with the law on his side, however luck prevailed.

In conclusion, I believe that we can excuse Shylock for his behaviour as I believe that he tries to protect the honour he has for his religion and this is why he uses such language and actions as he does. However his actions, trying to remove a pound of flesh from another human being are quite unacceptable, he doesn’t make any meaningful attempts to show mercy to Antonio and this just backs up my argument that it is personal. Therefore this makes you begin to think whether you can really excuse Shylock. I feel that this is the reason why Shakespeare wrote this play, to make us think twice about what we choose to believe. To show us the contrast between different religions and cultures and how their small differences in beliefs can lead to massive consequences. I feel that Shylocks motivation behind placing Antonio on trial and trying to have him killed is far more personal. His motivation, I think, are Jews. The Jews who have had to put up with intolerable behaviour from Christians and who have been too afraid to speak out for themselves.