Merchant of Venice - is Shylock an evil villain?

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Daniel Scotton 11R

Merchant of Venice Coursework

SHYLOCK: VILLAIN OR VICTIM? IS SHYLOCK AN EVIL VILLAIN, WHO DESERVES THE HARSH PUNISHMENT DOLED OUT TO HIM, OR IS HE A TRAGIC FIGURE, MORE SINNED AGAINST THAN SINNING, A VICTIM OF THE ENVIROMENT IN WHICH HE LIVED?

In Merchant of Venice, Shylock, a Jew, plays the role of a moneylender. Shylock has a daughter called Jessica and wife called Leah who, as we know it, is dead. Shylock is quite a greedy and selfish person and cares more of his ducats and jewels than his daughter. I believe Shylock is more of a villain than a victim because he is a mean, selfish person, but it also a victim in his society, as not many people like him or treat him fairly.

        In Act 1, Scene 3, we learn of Shylock’s first appearance in the play. Shylock comes across as a very confident and pleasant person. I also think Shylock is a good businessman. In this scene, Bassanio is confronting Shylock about a loan of three thousand ducats. Bassanio has borrowed money off Antonio in the past, but now wants to set himself up to try for the hand in marriage of Portia. At the start of the scene, when Antonio enters, we learn of Shylock’s hatred for Antonio. Shylock says aside, “How like a fawning publican he looks. I hate him for he is a Christian.” He also says, “If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.” By this he means if Shylock can get a hold over Antonio, it can get him at a disadvantage. When he mentions the ancient grudge, he is talking about the traditional hostility between Jews and Christians apparently originating in the accusation that the Jews were responsible for killing Jesus Christ. After Shylock’s speech, Antonio says, “Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow By taking nor by giving or excess, Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I’ll break a custom.” Shylock suggests he may need to borrow money in order to lend the money.

        Just before they agree to the bond, Shylock talks about the story of Jacob and Laban’s sheep. When Jacob and his Uncle Laban had agreed that Jacob should have all the spotted and streaked sheep and goats in the flock, the ewes were put with the rams to mate. Jacob peeled patches of bark off thin branches and set up rows of them in front of the ewes. For many centuries’ superstition had it that the unborn young could be affected by what the mother saw during pregnancy. Putting an object with dark and light patches in front of the ewes would ensure that many lambs would be patchily marked and therefore his. Shylock is telling Antonio that Jacob’s skill produced profit. Antonio asserts this was not a skill – it was ordained by God. It doesn’t mean the taking of interest is good.

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        Lines 94 to 99 of Scene 3 show us of how Antonio treats Shylock. Antonio says,

        “Mark you this Bassanio,

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose.

An evil soul producing holy witness

Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,

A goodly apple rotten at the heart.

O what a goodly outside falsehood hath.”

Antonio says that the devil can quote the bible for his own ends. Christians at this time were not allowed to lend money for interest.

        In scene 3, lines 103 to 126, Shylock’s opinion of Antonio is made clear. Shylock talks ...

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