Shylock: Victim or Villain

Authors Avatar

Safiya Haji Hassan 11B/11.5

Merchant of Venice

Shylock: Victim or Villain

By the end of Act 4 scene 1, my view of Shylock is a man who wishes to get revenge at society by trying to take the flesh of a Venetian merchant because of the prejudices that are thrown at him. Shylock is a rich Jewish moneylender and a widow whose daughter has eloped with a Christian, Lancelot. Shylock is treated with the lowest kind of integrity and respect in Venice this was normal for Jews in the Victorian period since most of Europe was greatly Anti- Semis-tic.

  Shakespeare first introduces Antonio then Shylock, in Act 1 scene 1 Antonio is presented as a rich merchant who is a kind and loyal friend, as he has no money, Antonio goes to his enemy to retrieve some money, just for the matter of Bassanio to woe the heiress Portia who is in Belmont. From this, the audience perceives Antonio as a decent man with a positive and compassionate character. In Act 1 Scene 3, Antonio and Bassanio go to Shylock. When Shylock has seen that Antonio has come to borrow money, he takes advantage of the situation. Firstly, he does this by taunting Antonio about not charging interest when giving out money. Shylock does this by taking the story Jacob and his sheep out of the bible. The second way he does this is by reminding Antonio of the inhuman way he was treated through him, by stating, “You call me a misbeliever, a cut throat dog and spit upon my Jewish gabardine”. This of course enrages Shylock, as it is insulting as well as humiliating. Antonio responds in a scornful and condescending behaviour to Shylock. The audience see Antonio in a different light as any decent person would apologise for the manner of pitting upon a person. This drives Shylock to introduce the bond – testifying a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Antonio naively signs it because he is secure about his ships. Shylock has the upper hand because he now has a chance to contract his revenge. From this introduction of Shylock, the audience would probably perceive him of having a negative character in contrast to Antonio as Shylock is seen to act in a strongly revengeful manner constructing him to be villain but the audience at the same time feel sympathy for Shylock because he has been abused and the abuser has no regret or isn’t dishearten about, this is verified when Antonio quotes in act scene 2 “To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too” this produces Shylock to be a victim.

      In Act 2 Scene 3, Jessica states, “I am a daughter to his blood I am not to his manners” this sentence would give the audience the impression that Jessica is embarrassed of her father’s behaviour. This would probably lead Jessica to feel that Shylock is irritable and unbearable to live with; this is evident when Jessica cries, “Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, didst rob it of some taste of tediousness”, and the audience ponders if Shylock is a victim because of the way his daughter feels towards him. Then again when Shylock locks Jessica in the house ordering her “hear you me Jessica, Lock up those doors and when you hear the drum---nor thrust your head into the public street to gaze on Christian fools”, (Act 2 Scene 5 line 27). Shylock thinks he is doing this to protect his daughter from the Christians because he fears that she will be treated the same way he was because of her religion and does not want her to end up like him. However, the main thing that comes across to the audience is the Shylock is frightened that Jessica would either become a Christian or mix with them. This eventually turns out true as she is in love with a Christian, Lorenzo, who she would marry then become a Christian for. Also, in view of the fact that the more Shylock pushes Jessica away from society the more Jessica desires not to be an outcast this therefore leads her to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian. Also Jessica has lost a mother and now adheres for love but as she is lacking any fatherly love from Shylock or any attention, Jessica finds love in Lorenzo, directing her to start a new life with a one that can love her. The audience ponders because of the fact that Shylock may love his daughter but does not get this through to her as he is trying to protect her but overall he is seen a villain.

Join now!

The question of Shylock being a victim is doubted once again when Shylock finds out that his daughter is missing as well as his money, Shylock shows more affection and worry towards his money than towards his daughter. This is shown in, Act 2 scene 8, – two sealed bags of ducats stolen from my daughter find the girl she hath the stones upon her and the ducats. Yet, the audience sympathizes with Shylock, as he is heartbroken to hear that Jessica has sold his wife’s ring.

         Solano and Salerino are other Venetians that criticize ...

This is a preview of the whole essay