“You called me a misbeliever, a cutthroat dog and spat upon me…..
All for use of that which is mine.” Ac1Sc3 L103
Perhaps Shylock does this to get an apology from Antonio, but this does not happen, showing them both to be quite stubborn. Antonio more or less replies that he is only borrowing money from Shylock. He doesn’t want to be his friend.
“If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not as thy friend” Ac1Sc3 L124
Then another side of Shylock is shown, as he suggests the forfeit for the bond.
“Be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh” Act1Sc3 L143
Maybe Shylock does this for a bit of a joke, as he knows Antonio will return the money straight to him. Or maybe he does it so as just in case Antonio cannot find the money, Shylock can have his sweet revenge. Either way, Antonio does not hesitate to seal the bond.
“I’ll seal to such a bond, and say there is much kindness in the Jew”
Ac1Sc3 L145
After both Shylock and Antonio have sealed to the bond, Antonio leaves. The scene is ended by them both speaking with a rhyming cuplet.
ANTONIO “ In this there can be no DISMAY, My ships come home a
month be for the DAY “ Ac1Sc3 L174
This rhyming language both emphasizes the fact of how pleased and merry Antonio is, and how sure of himself. But it also lets the audience know when the scene is ending.
Just before the end of this act, Antonio says
“The Hebrew will turn Christian, he grows kind”
This is saying that to be kind you must be a Christian, and that Jew’s don’t even have the ability to be kind. This also makes Antonio look a bit narrow minded.
In the whole of this act, Shylock defiantly appears to be a villain. With him more or less asking for Antonio’s life if he cannot repay the money.
Shylock next appears in Act2 Scene5 in his house. He is talking to Lancelot, his servant, who is leaving to work for Bassanio. We again join them in the middle of a conversation where Shylock tells Bassanio how he will notice the difference in masters.
“Thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge, the difference of old
Shylock and Bassanio.” Ac2Sc5 L1
Shylock obviously thinks quite highly of himself here. Also he is rude when talking about going to eat with Shylock and Bassanio.
“I’ll go in hate, to feed upon the prodigal (wasteful)
Christian,” Ac2Sc5 L14
He calls Christians a waste. They seem to be certainly making little digs at each other behind each other’s back.
As Shylock leaves his house to eat with the Christian, he tells his daughter Jessica, to lock up his doors.
“Do as I bid you, shut doors after you,” Ac2Sc5 L51
He does not say this for Jessica's safety, by how he speaks he appears to be saying it so as his money is safe from thieves. When you discover this it makes him look very cold hearted, especially as Jessica is his daughter.
Again, Shakespeare ends this scene with a rhyming cuplet, spoken by Jessica. In this particular act I can see no hard evidence to make me sway one way or another about Shylock being a victim or a villain. Although there is some vicious back biting from Shylock to Antonio, which appears to be all. The only thing Shylock is in this scene is greedy, but in such a small amount there is not much to judge him on.
In Act3 Scene1, Shylock both talks about his missing daughter as well as one of Antonio's ships being wrecked; therefore there are mixed emotions.
Shylock believes that Salarino and Solanio know something about his daughter’s disappearance; they reveal nothing. But Salarino mocks Shylock a little by saying that he hasn’t the guts to go through with the bond.
“Why I am sure if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh.” Ac3Sc5 L40
Shylock must take this to heart as next he becomes much of a victim, by spilling out emotion. He declares how there are little differences between himself and a Christian. He contradicts himself a bit as previously he had mocked Antonio for his religion.
“If you prick us do we not bleed?” Ac3Sc5 L50
He states many facts like this one i.e. tickle us we laugh, poison us we die. This is VERY powerful language; the sentences are all short and begin with a negative verb. He speaks angrily, bitterly and very passionately. The things he says are all true, yet he follows it with;
“And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge.” Ac3Sc1 L52
This is by no means a definite fact, this is surely shylocks opinion. He talks of a Christian doing the same back to him to back him up.
When Tubal enters and the two young men exit, Tubal admits that he could find nothing of Jessica. But then Shylock promptly notices a jewel that is missing. When he realises his own daughter took it from him, he totally changes from being a quite sorry for himself victim to a selfish villain. He talks about how important it was to him, and how much sentimental value it had to him. He maybe goes a bit over the top with its importance, as he is angry. But then he follows it with a pure evil, money thirsty remark.
“I would rather my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewel in her
ear: Would she were hearsed at my foot and the ducats in her
coffin.”
Here he would rather see the jewel returned that his daughter. Also soon after, Tubal tells Shylock of how one of Antonio’s ships has been wrecked. This makes Shylock even more evil as when he is sure Antonio will not be able to pay the bond, he says;
“I am very glad of it. I’ll plague him, I’ll torture him, I am glad
of it.” Ac3Sc1 L91
In this scene Shylock appears both as a victim and a villain; while spilling his emotion to Salarino and Solanio, but then turns to quite a sinister villain, as he is so happy of Antonio’s loss and wishes his daughter dead. He possibly appears more as a victim, but he defiantly gets the sympathy vote for his outburst claiming equality.
In Act3 Scene3, Shylock again uses the repetitive speech he used previously.
“I will have my bond, I will have my bond.” Ac3Sc3 L12
The language here is very strong and symbolises Shylock’s anger and greed. This makes Shylock appear as a very demanding and bossy person. In this scene, not a victim or a villain, but quite unpleasant. Antonio however, does not bite back, and appears quite genuine.
Act4 Scene1 is probably the most important scene in the whole play. It is the trial, of where it is determined whether Shylock will have his bond. But before Shylock even enters, the Duke sympathises quite openly with Antonio and expects to show Shylock no mercy.
Also, the Duke shows Shylock quite a lot of disrespect. He refers to him as ‘Jew’ and not by his name. Although many people refer to him as this.
Shylock tries to explain why he would rather have a pound of flesh over money, but then he stops and wont answer it. Perhaps he doesn’t know himself. He goes on to say that basically, he is whom he is. He cannot change himself and whatever he wants or feels cannot be explained. He gives a few examples, i.e. not liking dogs. Also he talks about not needing to explain his contract, as it is his contract. In this scene, Shylock behaves quite strangely, and almost fake. In Act1 Scene3 Shylock is totally open about his grievances against Antonio.
“You called me a dog: and for these courtesies, I’ll lend you thus
such monies?” Act1 Scene3 L120
But in Act4 Scene1, he gives quite a big long speech explaining why he is not going to explain himself. He totally refuses to discuss his feelings, except to confirm his hatred for Antonio. This seems almost like a front that he puts on. Maybe he cannot think of a reason. Perhaps he is using word games to impress the Duke without making any sense. I think that the villain side of him is coming through, but he is trying to cover it up and appear a victim.
Shylock next, seems as if he is trying to put off the trial; as he pointlessly questions many of Bassanio's comments. When Bassanio insists that every offence is not hate at first, Shylock become cocky.
“What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?” Ac4Ac1 L69
Nor Antonio or Bassanio can give a straight answer to this.
When the Duke asks Shylock to show mercy, Shylock comes across as very rude as he implies that “he” hasn’t done anything wrong.
Another angle Shylock takes to weaken the Duke is to uses patriotism. He basically says “Aren’t you proud of your country? If you do not enforce the law in this case, people will see the Venetian law to be worthless.
“If you deny me, fie upon your law: there is no force
in the decrees of Venice,” Ac4Sc1 L101
I think that this was quite a persuasive way for Shylock to take. But it however, does not persuade the Duke as he calls in Balthazar (Portia in disguise). It is up until Portia enters, that Shylock appears more of a victim that a villain, as he seems to be putting on quite a sympathy act. But when Portia enters he becomes much more focused and villainous, demanding he has his bond.
“I crave the law, the penalty and forfeit of my bond.” Ac4 SC1 L202
Shylock’s mood and tone tend to change a lot in this scene. One minute he is sternly demanding his bond, the next praising happily anyone who agrees with him.
One thing that I noticed in this book about the language is not only the structure of the sentences, but some of the words used. Throughout the book, words are used that we no longer would say anymore, or very rarely. One in Act4 Scene1 is on line 230.
“Take thrice thy money, bid me tear the bond.” PORTIA
‘Thrice’ meaning three times, which occasionally is still used today, is mentioned a lot in this story. Nowadays only well-spoken adults use it rarely. So, to a modern day audience, this may make Portia, or anyone else who uses the word look very sophisticated, and well spoken. The word ‘thy’, is no longer used today, although the huge majority of people will know that it can mean my, your or to whom it may belong. The word ‘bid’ is used in this sentence, different to how we would probably use it today. For today bid will more than likely be used in the situation where someone is bidding to do with money.
In line 240, Portia says,
“Prepare your bosom for his knife.”
The word ‘bosom’ was much more openly used back then, where as now it tends to refer more to a woman.
When Portia allows Shylock to have his bond, he becomes quite cocky. When Portia asks if he has a surgeon nearby to stop Antonio’s wounds from causing him to bleed to death, Shylock replies,
“Is it so nominated in the bond?” Ac4Sc1 L255
Here he becomes very much more of the villain as he suggests that Antonio should die. Antonio however, responds well, as his says farewell to Bassanio, who had gotten him into all of this trouble in the first place. Antonio is prepared to take responsibilities for his action; this is a difference between Antonio and Shylock, among many.
Next, Portia tricks Shylock, as she announces that he did not state in the bond that he could have a drop of blood. Therefore, Shylock immediately abandons his bond and asks for three times the money he is owed instead. This shows that Shylock was willing to see Antonio die, but not at the cost of being made a fool. Portia however, stops him from taking the money.
“The Jew shall have nothing but the penalty.” Ac4Sc1 L318 PORTIA
Then shylocks front breaks down, and he appears as a victim yet again. He simply pleas for the 3,000 ducats and to be let go as Shylock does not wish to risk his fortune; so becomes merciful. Here Portia becomes very harsh, and announces that it is a law that if any foreigner to Italy seeks the life of a citizen his money and belongings should be shared out between the Duke and the person he plotted to kill. Shylock is getting desperate now and he says that they might as well kill him. Which shows how money to Shylock is the most important thing in the world, and that he would die to keep his fortune. Now that Shylock is willing to accept any punishment, Antonio really takes advantage.
“The half in use, upon his death unto the gentleman
that lately stole his daughter.”Ac4 Sc1 L380
Here Antonio demands that Shylock give the half of the money that belongs to him, to Jessica and Lorenzo when Shylock dies. This must really hurt Shylock, as Antonio expects; to give any Christian money is awful for Shylock, but to the man who took off and converted his daughter must kill his pride. Next, Antonio really gets revenge, when he demands Shylock give up what he most believes in, the thing that is closest to his heart: his Religion.
“He presently become a Christian.” Ac4 Sc1 L383
He says he is content, but is obviously not. This shows that maybe Shylock is not so fond of his religion, as his is willing to give it up. Or maybe it is simply because he has no other choice. Shylock then leaves. What Antonio has done to him was very over the top and very cruel. A revengeful side of Antonio shines through in this scene, as he demands off Shylock everything that he knows is important to him.
This scene is a very complicated one to decide whether Shylock has acted as a villain or victim. He starts off unsure about his mood, but then when he gets the chance to kill Antonio, he jumps at it and he becomes very villainous and sinister. Also when he becomes cocky saying that there should be no surgeon there to save Antonio as it is not in the bond. It is after Shylock is told he can have none of Antonio’s blood, and if he takes any his fortune will be taken from him, that he breaks down. He becomes much more merciful and acts as a victim. He offers to just take the three thousand ducats he is owed. Also he is made to give money to the religion he hates and to become a Christian. It is here the public will bond with Shylock the most. They will realise he is only a human, and should be treated the same as everyone else. He will defiantly get the sympathy vote here. I don’t think that how he acts here is an act; he is genuinely hurt because of how he is being treated. The small minority will say that he is getting what he deserves, or that he is receiving what he has been giving, but most people will feel sorry for him. In this scene, I think he was a victim all along, he just had a front on to begin with, that soon broke down.
Since this play has been written, many versions have been produced and made into a film. I have viewed three of many versions and have compared closely differences and similarities between the two. The three that I have seen are: - A Jonathan Miller Production , A BBC production , and a Middle English Version..
The Jonathan Miller Production there is quite obviously an Elizabethan dress code, so this was made to suit the play. Antonio is shown quite old, and there is more of an age gap between him and Bassanio, making him look like more of a father to him. Portia and Nerissa are both well dressed, Portia seems very pompous, blunt and cold. She comes across as very clever, although she looks to old to be playing an attractive sort after maiden. Shylock looks very traditional in this version, with a skullcap and grey hair; he only has a slight Jewish accent. Bassanio is dressed very much of a ‘young trendy’. Jessica is young, but seems very clever and aware. She seems much of a victim and sad and sympathetic. She runs around like a servant to her father. By comparison, Shylock in the BBC version seems much more of a realistic father to Jessica. Shylock is also traditionally dressed in this version and has a Jewish accent. Although he is shown older, and much more of a comic. He is very passionate, so much so in fact that he comes across as a little mad! Jessica seems much more fiery and passionate also. She often spoke like she was taking the mikey out of her father.
The Middle English Version dressed Shylock in very Arabic clothing, and he had a very strong typical Jewish accent. Portia was very tall in this film. It sometimes made it look a bit unrealistic that she could fall in love with the tiny little Bassanio! However this was taken into consideration when it was filmed; they rarely stood beside one another, and when they did the lights were very cleverly positioned so as they looked a similar size.
One thing that the Jonathan Miller Production seemed to emphasize was the compared looks of Shylock and Antonio. Although Shylock wore a skullcap, he was dressed similarly to Antonio, making them look more like equals. This will make the audience side a bit more with Shylock, showing that he is just the same as Antonio. The two talk with more intelligence, and the production team obviously took the scenes with them both in very seriously. Where as in the BBC production, when Shylock was giving his “If you prick us do we not bleed” speech he seemed like he was trying to make the audience laugh. So this scene was not taken seriously. In this BBC version, it appears that it was planned out to make the audience laugh, because of the accents, madness and stereotypical clothing.
In my opinion, the version with the most impact would be “The Jonathan Miller Production”. I think that this best portrays the different emotions of all the characters, without going over the top. There is also a real set, there is in the Middle English one as well, but not the BBC version. The Jonathan Miller Production best shows the audience the characters. You can understand them more because of how they are dressed, spoken and surrounded. Language was used very well. Just a few lines of speech could pick out someone’s personality. For example, you could tell that Portia seemed cold and blunt by her sharp endings to words and facial expressions. Many of Shylock’s words were strong and explosive as well.
If I were to stage Shylock, I would have him dressed similarly to Antonio, with only a few Jewish accessories, i.e. a skullcap. He would act quite seriously and intelligent. I would want him to act as a father towards Jessica, rather than as if she is a servant. He should be staged as if he is respectful, but has his down points. Portia would be portrayed very much as she was done in the BBC version. She would be more delicate and dainty, and so she doesn’t really have a lot to say for herself. Antonio would be cheery, yet passionate. Business like, yet friendly. He would be old; to emphasize his wise ness and knowledge, but not too old that he could look like Bassanio's father. The set that would be used would be real, and not boards behind. Not many of the videos that I watched had much music in. I think that in the eased acts, music could be played to emphasize the relax ness of it all. Lighting is also important, so bright and cheery, when people are happy and smiley, and dark and gloomy when people are sad or arguing.
After studying the ‘Merchant of Venice’ play, and watching the three versions of videos, it has become clear that Shylock’s moods are uncontrollable and uncertain. He can switch from a villain to a victim in a matter of paragraphs. Throughout the play he has had his fair share of being both. Overall, no one can solemnly say that he is either a victim or a villain, also no one knows which Shakespeare intended him to be. In many of the scenes he comes across as being both. Even after studying the play I cannot decipher between the two. It appears to me that he has a split personality, somewhat of a short temper maybe. Because he goes from one extreme of being a venomous villain to being a sorry victim, he must have two sides that keep on coming to the surface at different times. To me, it appears that Shylock is no more than a normal man, only with somewhat of a mean streak and a sorry streak. His whole life Shylock has been victimised for being Jewish and it is when he tries to revenge that his evil streak rises to the surface. Maybe his mean streak comes out when he remembers how badly he has been treated in the past. It could be that there is this constant bad mood brewing inside him, waiting for an opportunity to arise for him to get it out and blame his troubles on everyone. I think that Shylock is a normal man, only exaggerated, as he can go from being villainous, but much more so than a normal man (enough to kill someone), to being a complete victim, but again, more so than a normal man. Not many other men have had to put up with the sufferings Shylock has. Therefore Shylock can be both a victim and a villain, as can anyone. It is Shylock’s surroundings that make him what he is. The place he lives and the denial he gets from the public are the causes of his exaggerated and unpredictable moods and personality.
