Discuss the presentation of Shylock and Antonio asconflicting opposites in 'The Merchant of Venice'
Discuss the presentation of Shylock and Antonio as conflicting opposites in 'The Merchant of Venice'
Shakespeare personifies the juxtaposed themes of this play; justice and mercy, forgiveness and revenge. He contrasts characters of Shylock and Antonio to represent these key ideas. Shakespeare's character representations of these themes certify that they are constantly played out against each other throughout the play. The play presents anti-semitic ideas, depicting Shylock, a Jew, as evil and Antonio, a Christian, as good. Stereotyping in this play is used to portray Shylock as malicious, selfish and hateful man who only cares about money. Antonio, on the other hand, is portrayed as the 'perfect Christian'; merciful and kind.
Shylock only appears in a couple of scenes in the play, but the audience can gather an opinion of him by the way the other characters on stage talk about him. Shylock appears to be disliked by those who are closest to him, for example his daughter, Jessica (in act 2). This is one of the reasons the audience see him as the evil character. On the other hand, Antonio appears to the audience as a very merciful man. When he does not appear in a scene, those closest to him talk about him highly emphasising his good features, this makes Antonio appear in a better light than Shylock. Every time Shylock is talked about or seen by the Elizabethan audience in a bad manner, consequently, Antonio's good qualities are emphasised. This backs up the idea that the portrayal of Antonio and Shylock works on the 'idea of scales'. As one side goes up the other side goes down: Every time Antonio is seen in a heroic, generous or kind light, Shylock appears worse, as it emphasises his bad points. Those are made aware by himself or other characters.
The 'idea of scales' used to represent the way the characters are seen, also represents the juxtaposed themes of justice and mercy in the court scene and for each theme that each character stands for- Shylock for justice, Antonio for mercy. The themes begin balanced but as the play proceeds mercy triumphs over revenge and this is personified through Shylock's downfall.
The reason behind the portrayal of Shylock is because of the anti-semitic attitudes of the Elizabethan's of that time; therefore Shakespeare painted Jews in a bad light to get a bigger audience. The Elizabethans inherited the ...
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The 'idea of scales' used to represent the way the characters are seen, also represents the juxtaposed themes of justice and mercy in the court scene and for each theme that each character stands for- Shylock for justice, Antonio for mercy. The themes begin balanced but as the play proceeds mercy triumphs over revenge and this is personified through Shylock's downfall.
The reason behind the portrayal of Shylock is because of the anti-semitic attitudes of the Elizabethan's of that time; therefore Shakespeare painted Jews in a bad light to get a bigger audience. The Elizabethans inherited the fiction, fabricated by the early Church, that the Jews murdered Christ and were therefore in league with the devil and were actively working to destroy Christianity. Jews were classified as an "inferior" race with specific physical and personality characteristics. Racial prejudice created negative stereotypes existing from Christian anti-Semitism. A reason behind this stereotyping was an increasing nationalistic fear, highlighting the Jews as a 'foreign element'. This anti-semitism is reflected in the literature of the time, and Jews were used to portray evil, heartless characters. In 'The Jew of Malta', for e.g., Christopher Marlowe uses a Jew, Barabas to represent his central malevolent character.
The personal view of Shakespeare may have been different as within this play he presents the audience with the other side of the argument. We have the reason behind the actions of Shylock and the reason for his hatred of Antonio, therefore Shakespeare briefly paints Christians in a bad light in act 3 scene 1.
In this play Antonio is seen in a positive light, because of his religion he would already have been seen as superior to Shylock. The first time we see him in this play is act 1 scene 1. The first line of Antonio is "in soothe I know not why I am sad". From this line the audience are entered into the conversation immediately, which makes them take note of what is happening straight away. "It wearies me, you say it wearies you;" This line and "and such a want-wit sadness makes of me" expresses how sad and unhappy he is feeling and therefore instantly conjures up empathy with the audience. The audience are instantly engaged with Antonio's very human dilemma and from this he appears to be a man of emotion and therefore appear more in a good light.
Antonio is surrounded by friends in this first scene who are helping him to work out the cause for his misery, "Or as it were the pageants of the sea, Do overpeer the petty traffickers, That curtsey to them, do them reverence, "As they fly by with woven wings." By referring to Antonio's ships in this manner with the metaphor, 'woven wings' create a god like image of Antonio, that creates and imagery of great prosperity. There is a clear reference to Christianity, portraying Antonio as holy. The visual imagery of 'curtsey to them' generates a respect for Antonio. Although it suggests Antonio is powerful man, Shakespeare uses assonance to create an atmosphere of love surrounding Antonio as a Christian.
When Salarino and Solanio leave just after Gratiano, Bassanio and Lorenzo arrive, Salarino final line is, "I would have stayed till I had made you merry, If worthier friends had not prevented me" This lines shows how he cares for Antonio. It illustrates how his intentions are to make Antonio happy and creates the image that Antonio is surrounded by friends all vying for his love. This emphasises how highly Antonio is regarded and depicts him as an important person. In response to his friends' departure he says to Salarino "Your worth is very dear in my regard. I take it your own business calls on you, And you embrace th'occasion to depart." The use of the word 'embrace' personifies the loving nature Antonio shows for his friends. Antonio bares to the audience his emotions, by showing how dearly he values his friends in this section. By baring his emotions to the audience he appears as very human person with his affectionate nature that the audience can find easy to sympathise with.
Now Antonio is amongst the company of Gratiano, Lorenzo and Bassiano. Gratiano does not stay in the scene for long, however he makes evident to the audience the affection he holds for Antonio. "You have too much respect upon the world," this line paints him as in very thoughtful manner; informing the audience that Antonio cares too much. The fact that Antonio is seen to care too much thus portrays Shylock in a negative light as he seen not to care enough. Gratiano is very passionate in expressing "I love thee, and it is my love that speaks," The repetition of the word 'love' highlights the strength of the adoration shown for Antonio.
Antonio and Bassanio have a very close relationship, from when Bassanio first enters the audience are made aware of this. Bassanio talks about how Antonio has helped him out in the past, "To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love, And from your love I have a warranty, To unburden all my plots and purposes, How to get clear of all the debts I owe." This paints the idea that as Antonio has lent 'money' and 'love' to Bassanio in the past that he has taken on a very paternal role in relation to this character. The idea that Antonio stands also as a father figure in this play, means that the audience are aware that Antonio is very protective over those he loves. Consequently they are also left to view his considerate and caring nature. He has therefore taken on the responsibilities of this role. For example, when Antonio offers to get to sufficient funds to cover the cost of Bassanio's conquest for Portia's love, the audience know that he does not have enough. "Neither have I money nor commodity, To raise a present sum; therefore go forth, Try what my credit can in Venice do," This shows Antonio's generosity, and also further supports the fact that he has taken on a father like role in his and Bassanio's relationship.
As Antonio appears in such a positive light in his first appearance, Shylock will be instantly compared to him when he appears. He is Antonio's rival, who expresses hate for him, and therefore appear in a negative light due to this. Antonio is shown to have lots of companions who all care for him and display affection; he is always surrounded by some of his friends in the scene. This fact helps demonstrate how Antonio is a good-natured and caring man. This is done via what people think of him and how they are willing to help him. It shows the audience that as he is surrounded by so many compassionate friends that he must too be a caring and loving friend to them.
When Shylock first enters in act 1 scene 3
