Shylock - Victim or Villain?

Shylock Victim or Villain? By Pritesh Dave 10M The Merchant of Venice is a very racially controversial play. This is because the plays main story is about racism towards Jews. In the days of Shakespeare, many of the people were anti-Semitic. The Jews were just starting to migrate to England and the racism towards them was motivated by their success. The Christians believed that the Jews were "aliens" and they shouldn't be involved in the Christian was of life. Also, the Jews in Britain were extremely successful, some more than the Christians. They were allowed to lend money and charge interest, as it was not forbidden by the Jewish religion like it is for Christianity. During the 16th Century, many plays were written which involved Jews. The Jews played a "stock character". They were normally villains or a comic character. The Christians who would play the Jews in the play would dress up in traditional Jewish costume and would speak in an exaggerated accent. This would instantly indicate that this character was the villain or the comic character. The audience would boo and jeer at this character. At the end of his play this character would be made a fool out of and would lose most or everything important to him/her. For example, the Jew would die, the Jew would lose his daughter or wife, he would have his money and land taken or he would be forced to change religion. They

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  • Word count: 1571
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock- Victim or Villain?

Shylock- Victim or Villain? At the time the play was set Jews were considered 'second class' citizens in Venice despite the fact that Venice was famous for its quality of justice. There was a lot of prejudice against the Jewish minority and they were even forced by the Venetian government to obey special laws. These consisted of wearing distinctive clothing such as coloured arm bands, not being able to be involved in trades such as the military, the government and guilds and most of all they were forbidden to retaliate in any circumstances to the way Christians treated them. These laws meant that most Jews lead a very restricted lifestyle and were often singled out from the rest of the Venetian citizens. The history of Jews around the world is a very cruel and complex one. Jewish persecution dates right back to the middle ages. The Christian church thought that they should be despised for rejecting Jesus. They began spreading rumours about Jews killing children at pass over and using their blood to make unleavened bread. During the fourteenth century, Europe was gripped by fear of the Black Death. Christians did not miss this newfound opportunity to spread anti-Semitist ideas, they accused the Jews of poisoning wells and so anti-Jewish stereotypes were reinforced. Christians thought themselves superior to all other faiths and the hatred and persecution they inflicted on

  • Word count: 1620
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock: Victim or Villain

Shylock: Victim or Villain Shylock is one of the main characters in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice", he starts in the play as an outcast of society because he is Jewish. Shylock has been forced to become a banker in his life as an inhabitant of Venice, for the fact that his religion is seen as wrong. Although Shylock is forced to become a banker he plays a vital role in the city of Venice, without Shylock the city would struggle economically. From an early point in the play Shakespeare makes Shylock look like a money-loving fiend, Shylocks first words in the play are " Three Thousand ducats." This line shows that Shylocks life revolves around money. The first account that Shylock gives to the audience about the bullying he receives is in Act I scene III when Shylock tells of the time when on the rialto seignior Antonio spat upon him and called him dog. Antonio then continues to request money from Shylock while saying that he is quite likely to spit on Shylock or call him or dog again. Antonio then tells Shylock that the money should be lent to him, but if not repaid Shylock will receive a penalty from Antonio. This promise of a penalty appeals to Shylock, as it is a way of receiving revenge for the terrible heartache cause by Antonio. Although the borrowing of money is frowned upon by Christians, Antonio is forced to borrow the money from a man he has hated for

  • Word count: 1090
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock, Victim or Villain?

Shylock, Victim or Villain Shylock is the most interesting and yet confusing characters in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." He could be seen as just another villain in a story made to be hated by the audience so that his downfall later in the play can be a cheered at. Yet the character of Shylock is much deeper than the stereotypical evil Jewish moneylender, Shakespeare shows how he is a victim of racial discrimination especially from the "loveable" hero of the story Antonio. Shakespeare also suggests that it is this discrimination that forces Shylock to act in revengeful and greedy ways. In the very begging of the play Shylock displays himself as the stereotypical Jewish villain by saying "I hate him, for he is Christian" Shakespeare wrote this for a fully Christian audience in a time where Jews were demonised for there role in "The Passion of Christ" So this shallow statement would instantly turn the audience of that time against Shylock. Furthermore, Shylocks role as a greedy moneylender also show him as a man obsessed with wealth. However, in the same scene Shylock states how Antonio mistreats him and speaks racial abuse. He says, "You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gabardine" though in Shakespeare time the audience may have cheered on Antonio for these anti-Semitic acts, in more modern times this is more the acts of a villain.

  • Word count: 693
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock - Victim or Villain?

Merchant of Venice - Shylock, Villain or Victim? In the Merchant of Venice, which is written by William Shakespeare, Shylock is presented in a variety of ways. For instance, some people regard Shylock as a villain, as he demands a pound of flesh. However, other people regard Shylock as a victim, as he loses everything (such as his ring, his daughter who ran away, and being made to convert to Christianity). The history on Jews is perhaps maybe the reason that that Jews are treated so badly, and perhaps the reason for the Christian's distaste towards all Jews, including Shylock. Shylock is first introduced to the show when Bassanio and Antonio come to his help to lend money. Our first impressions of Shylock are villainous, as he says "I hate him, as he is a Christian!". Also, he mutters "If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him!" which indicates that if Shylock has any chance to destroy Antonio, he will choose that option, without hesitation. The effect of using the word "I" makes the action very personal, and portrays a very directed and vicious verbal attack. Antonio also indicates that Shylock is a villain, because he says "the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, An evil soul, producing holy witness"which gives the impression of a villainous Shylock to the audience. When Shylock names the terms of the bond, he is states it in

  • Word count: 2566
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock victim or villain?

Shylock victim or villain? There have been many variations over the hundreds of years in how the character Shylock has been played in productions of "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare. Shylock is often noted as the most important character in the play, so the way he is performed can change how people interpret the play itself. Shylock can be interpreted as the villain or the victim of the play. Sometimes in productions the audiences' sympathies can swing first one-way then another, the actor will portray Shylock as a consistent character however; certain scenes create sympathy for him. Racism is a key issue in the play. Both the Christians and the Jew (Shylock) indulge in racist acts towards each other. Shylock admits at his first appearance that he hates Antonio because of his beliefs, "I hate him for he is a Christian" this is not a valid reason to hate someone and would illustrate Shylock as a villain. In some people's view Shakespeare has created philosophical characters, Shylock - evil, Bassanio - loving and Antonio- self-sacrificing. Antonio was in some ways willing to sacrifice his life so that his best friend could have a happy one. This is an allegory with Christianity, Jesus laying down his life, reinforcing the Christian message. However there are many incidences where Shylock is the victim of racial banter e.g. puns of gentile. "If you prick us do

  • Word count: 1224
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock Victim or Villain?

Shylock Victim or Villain? In the productions of 'The Merchant of Venice' the character Shylock seems to be the most important throughout the play. However, he can be played in different ways. He can be portrayed as a victim or a villain. Even during a single production the audience's sympathies change towards him. Shylock can be seen as villain in many ways. One of these is his desire for revenge on Antonio. Shylock doesn't like him because he is racist towards him and has disrespected him for a long time. Therefore when Bassanio asks him whether he will lend Antonio money Shylock keeps him waiting before he gives him an answer so he can think about the risks involved. You can see that Shylock avoids answering Bassanio straight away. When Bassanio would suggest how the loan would be dealt with shylock would repeat what he said and then say 'well...' for example when Bassanio said, "Ay, sir for three months," referring to the payment of the loan. Shylock then said, "For three months; well." Shylock did this to delay his final answer. This suggests that he is trying to show them who is making the decision and who has the control. Shylock dislikes Antonio very much for calling him a misbeliever, a dog and spitting on him. Even after Antonio doing all of this Shylock was seemingly friendly to Antonio and even offered to be his friend, "I would be friend with you and have

  • Word count: 1550
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock: Villain or Victim?

Shylock: Villain or Victim? For years, Shylock, one of Shakespeare's most complex characters has questioned audiences. He may be seen as a 2-dimensional but there is something more real about him. The fact that he is a Jew is clearly stated right at the beginning of Act 1: Scene 3, when Shylock first enters the play. As the play unfolds, Shylock is presented to be the villain of the story because he is portrayed as cold, greedy and evil. But is he? Is Shylock really the villain in the play or can he also be portrayed as the victim? In Shakespeare's times, the sixteenth century, Jews were rarely seen in England. In the Middle Ages, Jews had fled to England to escape France as they were being persecuted by the ruling Normans. They were given permission to live in England by Henry I, in exchange for a percentage of their profits from trading and usury (money lending). It was from this that the Jews were stereotyped as usurers. As the Jews had to pay some of their profit to the king, they would charge high interest rates to make sure that they had enough money for themselves and because of this, all Jews had to leave England in 1254 under the orders of Edward I. They did not return to England until the later half of the seventeenth century. In Elizabethan times, Jews were viewed as devils and bloodthirsty murderers who would poison wells and kill Christian children for their

  • Word count: 1548
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock: Villain or Victim?

Shylock: Villain or Victim? In Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, a Jewish money-lender is portrayed as villainous throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, he agrees to lend Antonio a sum of 3000 ducats. This loan had to be paid back within three months time otherwise Shylock would get what he wanted, a pound of Antonio's flesh, as a part of a clause of the contract. Shylock's continuous insistence for a pound of Antonio's flesh shows him as a villain, but is Shylock really a villain, and not a victim? Antonio wanted this money for his friend Bassanio, who needed it so he could court a rich heiress called Portia. Antonio had to loan this money from Shylock as his own money was being invested in merchant ships which were out at sea at the time. These ships were reported to be lost at sea, so it looked as if Antonio would not be able to repay the 3000 ducats to Shylock. Before they found out about the ships, containing all of Antonio's wealth, that went missing, Shylock made Antonio agree to an inhumane bond, which gives Shylock the right to a pound of Antonio's flesh: 'let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your [Antonio] fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me. Shylock can be revealed as a villain because mean attitude towards business and his dislike of Christians, but it is only because of

  • Word count: 971
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Shylock: Villain Or Victim

Shylock: Villain Or Victim? Described by many as the most complex character Shakespeare ever created, all view him as a greedy moneylender who cares little for his daughter and whose only concern is to receive his pound of flesh from a respectable merchant. Shylock is not just the stereotypical villain but in spite of this the audience might feel that Shylock is a dignified god fearing man who is driven to revenge by the callous acts of Christians and also the theft of his only child and earned money from a Christian. Including when Shylock goes to seek justice he is degraded and dehumanised in front of his bitter enemies. However, in Shakespearean England anti-Semitism was rife. Jews were widely regarded as evil and the entire community had been expelled from England in 1290 and other countries shortly afterwards. They were not allowed to return until the mid-seventeenth century and therefore, there were no Jews in England in Shakespeare's time. Jews were persecuted worldwide and forced to live their lives in ghettos. Audiences from Shakespearean time who were predominately Christians would have been delighted in viewing the Christians defeat him, where as in our today's society is multicultural and diverse hence they may have a much different opinion on this topic. Depicted as a villain to many readers Shylock shows his hatred towards Antonio and Christians evident of

  • Word count: 2418
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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