“Feed fat the ancient grudge” that Christians and Jews have against each other because of the discrimination he has had to put up with. Shylock seals the bond between himself and Antonio-
“If you repay me not on such a day- let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken in what part of your body pleaseth me”. –
This quote makes me wonder whether Shylock is actually a victim or a villain after all? Because to take a pound of someone’s flesh is a gruesome thing.
Antonio agrees to the bond-
“Content, in faith; I’ll seal to such a bond.”
Bassanio does not want him sealing this bond, but Antonio does so, for his love for Bassanio.
Later on in the play, Shylock finds out that some of Antonio’s ships have sunk. This does not change Shylock’s mind as to call off the bond, but makes him more determined for his pound of flesh.
When Shylock finds out that his daughter (Jessica) has run away with a Christian (Lorenzo), he is devastated-
“My daughter! O my ducats! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats! A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats, and jewels, two rich and precious stones!”
Shylock seems more concerned about his ducats that were stolen by his daughter, than losing her. This shows Shylock as an old selfish man with no heart. He is money-hungry, too concerned with making profit than for his family.
Shylock is mocked by Salerio and Solanio who show no concern, but are too busy taunting Shylock. Salerio and Solanio were Antonio’s Christian friends who showed no sympathy towards Shylock.
Shylock is feeling a lot of pain, and in this case he could be seen as a victim. Because his daughter has blackened his name, therefore he is angry with her and does not show sorrow for losing her whereas he may, really, feel upset. There is no one to comfort him, only mockers making him feel more depressed.
Then Shylock sends his Jewish friend (Tubal) to speak to an officer because he has decided that he wants the heart of Antonio. This would make anyone think that Shylock is a villain but this may be his way of getting back at everyone, his revenge-
“I will have the heart of him if he forfeit”.
Shylock wants to take all his anger out on Antonio. In other words he is almost blaming Antonio for everything bad that has happened to him. But, to take someone’s heart out, whilst they are still alive, is a very gruesome act. This puts Shylock in the role of a villain.
Shylock is not willing to let Antonio off the bond, although he knows very well that Antonio’s ships have sunk. Shylock does not show any sympathy towards Antonio.
Shylock and Antonio are summoned into court, after the time to repay back the loan is over. The Duke calls Shylock into court, showing no respect-
“Go, one, call the Jew into the court”.
Shylock is known as ‘the Jew’. He is not even summoned by name; this clearly shows the prejudice against Jews at the time.
Bassanio feels extremely guilty and tries to defend Antonio, trying every possible way to get him out of this mess; he offers money that he has brought from his wife (Portia -mistress of Belmont). Bassanio offers to double the loan, to six thousand ducats, but Shylock still refuses.
“If every ducat in six thousand ducats were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond!”
This shows that Shylock wants Antonio’s heart so much, more than many ducats. Shylock has felt discriminated against and made a fool of. This makes the audience wonder whether Shylock is actually a villain, or is it because of prejudice that he has become one?
When Portia turns up, as Balthazar (a doctor of laws), Shylock is very pleased. Portia tries to persuade him, that by giving mercy he will rise above the others, but Shylock refuses-
Portia “Then must the Jew show mercy?”
Shylock “On what compulsion must I, tell me that?”
Shylock is not willing, in any case, and his determination is all that matters.
Later on in the court, Shylock is sure that he shall have Antonio’s heart, and is very pleased with himself.
“O Daniel come to judgement! O wise young judge, how I honour thee!”
Shylock is overwhelmed that the bond is actually going to take place.
Portia “This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; the words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh’; if thou doth shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are confiscate”.
After hearing this, Shylock is very disappointed but agrees to let Antonio go and shall accept six thousand ducats from Bassanio. But Portia tells him that he shall have nothing but the penalty to pay for, for attempting to take the life on someone living in Venice. Shylock cannot have any of the money, nor Antonio’s heart but has to give half his money to Antonio, and the other half to the government. Antonio shall pass on half of Shylock’s wealth to Lorenzo and Jessica (when Shylock dies). Shylock is forced to accept that he has to give all his wealth away and has to become a Christian.
Portia “Art thou content, Jew? What dost thou say?”
Shylock “I am content”.
Shylock must have been feeling devastated. His religion, which was his only pride, had been taken away from him. And him having to become a Christian must have broken him. The audience should sympathise with Shylock here, because he has lost everything. His wealth is going to the people he despises. No one deserves to be treated this way and this scene makes the audience feel Shylock’s pain.
In conclusion, throughout all the scenes of the play, Shylock is portrayed as both a villain and victim. Shakespeare has created Shylock as one of the most complex characters in the play because he had two sides to him.
It could be said that he is such a villain that even his daughter and servant were eager to escape him. Or it could be said that he is a victim of prejudice and that he was unjustly treated by Christians at the time.
The villain that we see in Shylock is the greedy moneylender. Shylock charges high interest rates and when he is not repaid he insists on revenge.
Shakespeare also shows the human qualities of Shylock throughout the play. Shakespeare causes us to feel sympathy for him after the loss of his daughter, when he runs through the streets feeling distressed.
Besides the loss of his daughter and his ducats, after the trial Shylock also looses his property and his religion. The loss of his property was very hard on him but it can hardly compare to the loss of his religion.
I think this was a very unjust decision and that Shylock did not deserve such treatment. His punishment was so severe partly because he was a Jew. Shakespeare gave Shylock the ability to make us hate him at times, and sympathize with him at others. I think Shylock is portrayed as a victim of prejudice, and society at the time has caused him to act as a villain.