Traditionally Shakespearean villains had no defense, no motive and no personality. They are purely 2 dimensional characters for example Don John in Much Ado About Nothing he has no motives for ruining is friends wedding an in the end there is no sympathy for him as the audience does not get to know him. Yet Shylock has a personality, has motives and has a defense. The question is why does Shakespeare give him a defense.
It has been implied that Shakespeare knew the royal family well and used their staff. He may have used Lopez’ services and befriended him. He may have sympathized with Lopez’ plight.
It is possible that Shakespeare is using Shylock to represent the plight of Lopez and his sympathy.
Thus is why Shakespeare develops Shylock as a character and makes it possible for the audience to sympathise with him.
Shakespeare develops Shylock as a character through his language, namely the elaborate speeches he uses as his defense.
Shylock’s first appearance is in act 1 scene 3 where we are introduced to a businessman.
When considering Antonio’s sufficiency (1:3:14-26) he sees his opportunity for revenge. “Ships are but boards and sailors but men… there is the perils of waters, winds and rocks” it is here we first see the villain, Shylock.
However when he is aside from the characters we hear his defense, whereas the audience previously had no choice but to dislike him they now have the opportunity to sympathise and it is up to them whether or not they take it. This is because although Shylock shows prejudice by saying “I hate him for he is Christian he goes on to say “he lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice”
There are now two different viewpoints that could be taken, the audience could take the view that he cares only for himself and is obsessed with money. On the other hand they could take the view that he is frustrated at being denied the only method available to him, as a Jew, of making a good living. Shylock wants revenge “if I can catch him once upon the hip I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him… cursed be my tribe if I forgive him.” It is up to the audience to decide whether they support his hunger for revenge.
Shylock has hatred for Antonio but not only because he is a Christian but also because of what Antonio has done to him, (1:3:103-115) “ Signior Antonio, many a time and oft… And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur” most importantly he has a defense, and his hatred for Antonio is not unfounded.
Although Shylock says this aside he will not necessarily lose audience sympathy. He is being deceitful but this could be because he is forced to hide his true feelings.
He is involving the audience, in the RNT film version by Trevor Nun he talks into the camera, interacting directly with the audience. Rather than being sly he is being open with the audience and allows them to get to know him.
Later in the scene Shylock voices his frustrations to Antonio, although he does not reveal his plot for revenge he is being less deceitful. He goes into detail when talking about what Antonio has done to him and adds to the audience’s sympathy. His defense extends to defending his justifying his usery. He uses scripture to justify his money-making method. However Antonio points out that “many cite scripture fore his purpose” and sympathy brought to Shylock.
Shylock’s defense is not the only reason the audience likes him. He also uses comical language. Although he sometimes seems sarcastic and toys with other characters (1:3:21-23) all these dimensions of his personality add to the audience relationship with him and therefore sympathy is increased.
In contrast the audience do not see very much of the other characters personalities and does not get to know them as well.
The audience sees Shylock’s home life and gets to know him yet the other characters have less of a connection. This may lose audience sympathy for them.
Antonio hates Shylock for he is a Jew and because of what he does for a living yet this is the only way Shylock can make a good living and Shylock has done nothing to Antonio. Antonio is prejudice and a modern audience may not accept this. He freely admits his prejudice and shows no remorse (1:3:127-128) “I am as likely to call thee so again/to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.” When this is said there is no one to take the side of Shylock. This as a pattern that continues throughout the play. He has no support, no friends, and is isolated thus gaining more audience sympathy. All the other characters are joined together in some way in the love plot yet Shylock’s only involvement is the loss of his daughter (3:1) and this simply adds to his isolation and loneliness. All he is left with in the end is his bond.
In the court scene Portia rushes to Antonio’s rescue yet there is no one to help Shylock. It is said that he is getting what he deserves, he has shown a lack of mercy and evil cunning right from the creation of the bond but even this could be disputed.
It is possible that Shylock originally viewed the penalty as a joke “merry bond” and when the court scene takes place he has lost everything. His daughter has left him, and the money he gave to Antonio was borrowed, all he has left is the bond. He is desperate for revenge and this can be pitied.
It can also be argued that what he has done does not seem so terrible when what the Christians have done to him is considered.
In his famous act three speech (3:1:54-69) he refers to the hypocrisy of the Christians and in (4:1:94) he compares the way a Christian owns a slave to the way he owns Antonio’s pound of flesh.
He says that they do not show mercy by setting free their slaves because they own them as he will not give up his piece of Antonio’s flesh.
Hypocrisy of the Christians is shown with reference to greed.
Shylock’s greed is shown in act 1 scene 3 on many occasions.
His obsession with money is shown when he says “Antonio is a good man” he merely means that “he is sufficient”, and one of the reasons he hates Antonio is that “he lends out money gratice and brings down/ the rate of usance” his greed is obvious as is his obsession with money. Although Antonio does not seem to be obsessed with money some of the other Christians are and audience opinions may change.
Antonio is looked upon in a good light for helping Bassanio and Bassanio is supported in his pursuit of Portia. However earlier in the play when talking of why he is trying to win her affections he mentions her money before any of her other attributes. “In Belmont is a lady richly left, / and she is fair” the audience may gain sympathy for Shylock as his greed is one of Antonio’s justifications of his hat and abuse.
This hypocrisy comes to a head in court where the Christians do not show the mercy asked to be shown by Shylock.
Shylock’s fate is arguably a metaphorical death in which the Shylock we know disappears. He is stripped of his wealth, his daughter, his values and his religion.
In this essay may viewpoints have been considered, the effect of society and prejudice has been evaluated, the influences of an actor and director must be considered.
A director can cut out a section and in the 1993 RSC Production the director David Thaker cut out Shylock’s speech (1:3:38-48) that explains his hatred for Antonio. This would have lost sympathy for Shylock, as his hatred would then seem unfounded.
Shylock’s plot for revenge for what Antonio has done to him begins in act 1 scene 3 when the bond is made. An actor can decide whether he wants to portray Shylock as an evil cunning man beginning a plan for revenge or a man making a kind gesture offering friendship. He could laugh as the penalty is a joke or laugh at Antonio cruelly and either increase or reduce audience sympathy for Shylock.
When the audience gains sympathy for Shylock it is not always unanimous.
Some people will have seen Shylock from the beginning as a villain and become closed emotionally, unable to allow themselves to sympathise as the Elizabethan audience would have been because of prejudice.
Shylock is introduced as a sympathetic and likable character in act 1 scene 3 but whether or not the audience sympathises with Shylock depends on whether or not they are willing to and whether or not the directors and actors will allow them to.
Davina Anthony
Darius
The Merchant of Venice
