‘You that did void your rheum upon my beard’
Shylock has accused Antonio of spitting on him, but to the audiences amazement Antonio admits this in line 126
‘To spit on thee again,’
and says that he would do so again given the opportunity.
This begins to explain why Shylock feels so much hatred towards Christians and Antonio. Shylock is now portrayed as a victim rather than a villain.
We meet Shylock again in Act 2 Scene 5. He is with his daughter Jessica. Still Shylock is portrayed as a villain in this scene. In line 11
‘I bid forth to supper, Jessica.’
Shylock seems to be abrupt and over protective, even more so in line 27-28 . ‘Hear you me, Jessica,
Lock up my doors.’
Shylock is telling his daughter to lock the doors and ignore the street party outside. Shylock a single Jewish parent is trying to show his love for Jessica but comes across as being a villain.
Although Shylock could be considered as a villain here, he could also be seen as a victim. He may be concerned about what could happen to Jessica from past experiences and seem to be over protective when he is just protecting his daughter from the harsh reality of the way Jews are treated in Venice. He fears for her safety but at the same time does not want her to be influenced by Christian ways. Shylock finds it difficult to remain a dedicated Jew surrounded by so many Christians.
Later in the play in Act 3 Scene 1 Shylock’s speech answering Salarino’s question from line 47-65, describes Shylock as a victim. He is explaining why he feels so much hatred towards Christians. In line 57
‘ If you prick us, do we not bleed?’
makes you feel sorry for Shylock. He is saying that Jews are no different from anyone else. He doesn’t understand why Jews have been persecuted for so long. The pressure of being of a minority race and religion in Venice is now showing.
Shylocks tone in this speech makes him seem bitter, angry and victimised. Shylock is speaking on behalf of all Jews in this speech. He believes that everyone should be treated equally, no matter of their race or religion and beliefs.
Shakespeare has written this speech in prose and is making a social comment to his audience, but is using Shylock and the play to express his opinion.
Even today Jews are still persecuted for their race and religion. Shakespeare was obviously aware of this problem and using the play, made his audience aware of this controversial issue.
Still this play is telling its readers of the conflict between Jews and Christians. Shylock and Antonio are the representatives of each religion. Shakespeare, a well-educated man is trying to express this to all his readers and audiences. Fortunately his plays are still studied today and the same message is still being passed on hundreds of years later.
Again in Act 3 Scene 1 line 71 Shylock remains to be a victim.
‘Hast thou found my daughter?’
Shylock is asking Salarnio of word from Jessica. This shows his concern for his daughter’s whereabouts and safety.
Line 79
‘I would my daughter were dead at my foot and
the jewels in her ear:’
Shylock is now saying that he would prefer Jessica dead at his feet and the jewels, she stole from him, with her. Shylock again is continuing to be described as a victim then a villain.
This could be considered to be a stereotype about Jews and their money. The stereotype here is that Shylock, a Christian, would prefer his assets to his daughter. As you read the play you realise the love Shylock feels for his daughter, but by just reading this short extract you could gain the wrong impression of Shylock and Jews.
Shylock in line 103 remains to be described as a villain.
‘I’ll plague him, I’ll torture him’
Shylock, now talking with Tubal is describing what he intends to do to Lorenzo, the Christian, Jessica has run away with.
In Act 4 Shylock refuses to show mercy to Antonio, despite being asked several times. Although Shylock is offered more money than he is owed, he still refuses.
Line 99
‘The pound of flesh which I demand of him
Is dearly bought; ‘tis mine, and I will have it’
While saying this Shylock seems bitter. Although it is Antonio on trial, Shylock seems to act as though he feels he is. This just shows Shylock feeling even more persecuted.
In Act 4 Scene 1 line 244 Portia tells Antonio to prepare himself for the knife.
‘You must prepare your bosom for his knife’
Shylock acts exited at the prospect of getting his own way. Portia has allowed Shylock his own way this time.
You consider Shylock to be a villain for showing no mercy and depending the pound of flesh, but also consider him to be a victim for feeling so persecuted.
In line 253 Portia asks
‘Are there balance here to weigh
The flesh?’
Which Shylock replies in line 254
‘I have them ready’
Later in the scene Shylock seems to get very excited to the build up of taking the flesh, until he learns that he is not to spill any blood, which is impossible, so Shylock in line 316 attempts to accept the money.
‘Pay the bond thrice
And let the Christian go.’
But as he has refused previously he isn’t allowed it now.
Portia is as stubborn as shylock had been, much to Shylock’s dismay.
Near the end of Act 4 Scene 1 you learn of how Shylock has lost his battle to remove a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body, but has also lost everything he owns, including his religion.
Line 350
‘The party’gainst the which he doth contrive
Shall seize one half his goods, the other half
Comes to the privy coffer of the state,’
Shylock is now at the most victimised point in the play.
Line 372
‘Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that:’
Shylock feels his life should be taken because without his money, he has nothing.
Line 392
‘I am content’
Shylock now knows he has been beaten.
The audience sees Shylock as a villain but does spare some sympathy for Shylock as he has fought throughout the play to keep his dignity, but now he has lost his battle.
The audience has to consider if Shylock will convert to becoming a Christian, or will he end his life, as he now has nothing. No money, no home and no daughter.
Everything Shylock has fought to keep he has now lost.
Shylock leaves the play a victim but overall you could consider him to be a villain.
After carefully considering all of the facts I personally feel Shylock is a victim rather than a villain. Although he feels hate towards Christians, this should be expected, as he himself and all the Jews in the play are persecuted for their religion. They are the minority race in Venice and face daily struggles to remain successful businessman as Shylock was at the very beginning of the play, until his feelings and differences with Christians and Antonio jeopardised his career and life.
