Shylock causes great concern in the Christian community of Venice; he creates the problem of insisting that Antonio forfeit a "pound of flesh" and keep his expired bond. When the argument goes to trial, it presents a problem for the government of Venice. The duke, along with Antonio's friends, asks Shylock to drop the case and demonstrate mercy toward Antonio. Shylock will not do so and sticks to his vindictive alternative, his forfeit.
The writer portrays Shylock as the villain purely because of his faith; he is Jew in a predominantly Christian society. Shylock is the stereotype caricature of a malicious, money rapt Jew, but it also suggests that Shakespeare's intentions were not mainly anti-Semitic. An Elizabethan audience would interpret the characteristics of Shylock by their anti-Semitic beliefs leading them to see him as a villain and out to oppose the benevolent will of the Venetian public.
However, a modern audience would have an entirely different portrayal of Shylock due to today’s education and less anti-Semitic beliefs. Therefore, this era would look at Shylock as a victim because of the abuse he is put through, an example being that he is not addressed by his name throughout the play, even reduced to a dog at times.
“Hie thee, gentle Jew!”, “O, be thou damned, inexorable dog.”
The way he is treated and portrayed to the audience sways, from being a villain, to a victim as the play progresses.
The dominant thematic complex in The Merchant of Venice is not just specific religious or racial hatred but is more universal, it spins around the difference between the exterior charm of gold and the Christian virtues of compassion and mercy that lie beneath the surface.
Using hindsight we could see Jews were isolated, segregated, misunderstood and then demonized through a series of escalating stages from Shakespeare’s time till present.
As we look at Act 1 Scene 3 in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ Shakespeare writes a scene which shows the bad aspects of Antonio’s and Shylock’s characters. Antonio, being a Christian is forbidden for borrowing money which he does in this particular scene. Furthermore, Shylock suggest a disgraceful forfeit, if Antonio fails to pay the stated sum of money at a stated place at a stated time he must submit a pound of flesh to Shylock. This shows Shylocks malevolence side towards his enemy.
Shylock’s main impression during this scene was one of control but also jealousy. He is in control for most of the scene as he is the one who has the power to lend the loan to Antonio but at the same time he is jealous as he once says, aside to the audience:
“How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate his for he is a Christian.”
Antonio enters this scene self-collected and continues to negotiate the loan of three thousand ducats. Yet, in the latter half he loses his composer and bursts out that Shylock should not lend the money as friends but enemies:
“If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not as to thy friends.”
“But lend it rather to thine enemy.”
The third and last person involved in this scene is Bassanio. Shakespeare portrays him as a rather timid character unlike Antonio. Bassanio calls Shylock “Sir” which is unusual and rarely happens within this play. He also used short concise phrases which state his true meanings; he even invites Shylock to dinner.
Shylock and Antonio get frustrated while talking terms for the bond which does not help as they both have past histories of malice and resentment for the counterpart.
I believe this scene is a crucial to the whole of the play as it sets the tensions between these two conflicting characters which builds up in stages till they reach the Venetian courts later in the play, to decide Antonio’s life.
This early act can be compared to the later act, Act 4 Scene 1, which shows the different comparisons and shifts of power from Shylock to Antonio in a dramatic change of events. This scene takes place in the court of Venice with many characters from throughout the play, Antonio has broken his contract with Shylock and is now at court to decide his fate which only Shylock has the power to choose. Portia plays the part of a doctor of law on behalf of Bellario and enters the court dressed as a barrister, no-one recognisers her.
Firstly, Portia starts to try and persuade Shylock to freely cancel the bond, accept thrice the sum of money and have the added benefit of mercy:
“It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.”
This fails; Shylock ignorantly denies it.
Portia used this method to give Shylock a respite from his evil ways and hatred but Shylock does not notice this as he has his mind set on what he wants, not thinking about others who might be hurt in the process. He covers this up by saying:
“If you deny it, let the danger light upon your charter and your cities freedom!”
Does he try to convince others that what he is doing is righteous or himself?
I believe he has strayed from what is moral due to the years of punishment and humiliation received from his fellow Christians.
As we near the end of the scene Shylock seems to of accomplish his goal but we see a sudden turn of events as Portia reveals her hidden loophole in the bond, one which destroys Shylock, his life and religion. Portia knows she has a winning case right from the start but offers Shylock numerous chances of exoneration which he blindly ignores. She has no choice but to reveal what she has learnt in a discussion with Bellario.
“Take then thy bond, take then thy pound of flesh, but in cutting it, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice.”
This part of the entire act make you suddenly realise the magnitude and twists that Shakespeare has created within the play. I feel this is released suddenly without warning which would make both an Elizabethan audience be taken back and a modern audience react.
In conclusion I believe Shakespeare intended to write this play to capture the audience and bring them to another world which is very similar to their own and show the similarities of racism and Anti-Semitism. Shylock is definantly the centre of the play and can be interpreted differently based solely on the attitudes towards other races or religions at the time. Such as showing this play in an Elizabethan audience results as Shylock being portrayed as a villain whereas if performed in a modern more equal society, relatively similar to a modern audience we would find Shylock’s character sympathised with and found to be a victim to racial prejudice.
For myself, I believe Shakespeare depicts Shylock justly and is a victim to Anti-Semitism as shown in the play.