Evaluations Show Shylock example essay topic

Many disputes arise over the interpretation of Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice. Set in Italy, Shylock is a Jewish moneylender despised because of his practice of usury and his religious affiliation. Bassanio is a dear friend of Antonio that wishes to borrow a sum of 3,000 ducats. In order to give Bassanio the money he needs, Antonio commits to a contract with Shylock that will forfeit one pound of his flesh should he not be able to pay the loan. He eventually admits bankruptcy and pleads with the very man he constantly victimizes for mercy. Shylock grows unrelenting and shows intentions of wanting to go through with the deed.

However, Shylock is no ordinary villain but is cruel as a defense against incessant abuse, unjust punishments, and his frustration and loss. There has always been a certain level of enmity that exists between the Christian people and the Jews. This mutual hatred has turned violent in the relationship between Shylock and the Christian townsfolk of Venice. Even the children follow him down the street and verbally attack him during perhaps the most troublesome experience of his life crying "his stones, his daughter, and his ducats" (2.8. 23-24). One of the men who seems to be leading the assault is Antonio, who exhibits obvious animosity toward Shylock: Signi or Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances.

You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gabardine [cloak] (1.3. 107-113) Through all this oppression suffered, Shylock still tries to be gracious with the lack of usury in Antonio's bond. Only a very lenient gentleman can deal with so much but still be so amicable. It is obvious that Jews are considered lowly by Venetians.

The judge of the court, who should represent justice, does not talk about Shylock as an individual but calls him "Jew" instead. The lawyer shows him excessive inequity as well during the repercussions of trying to take Antonio's life. The lawyer states: "The party 'against the which he doth contrive / Shall seize one half his goods. The other half / Comes to [the state]" (4.1.

352-354). To be expected, when Antonio had a chance to show mercy, Shylock received none. As well as all of his money being spoken for, Shylock is forced to give up his religion and beliefs for Christianity. Being forced to give up one's core beliefs in order to survive is not only unfair but unethical. This display makes the supposed protagonists of the play seem wicked instead the 'villain' himself. The largest reason for Shylock's cruelty and decision to exact the pound of flesh concerns his daughter betraying him for a Christian.

Shylock was devastated when she ran away from home. He loved her and trusted her with all he owned and she broke that trust which caused him a burden of mental distress. Perhaps as a way to seek revenge for his daughter's conversion to Christianity and betrayal, he demands the forfeit be upheld. Before she left him, Shylock showed no intention of going through with the deed of killing another man.

However, after being baited by other men and the weight of all the abuse and discrimination, he came to his decision. Shylock is no evil man but a heartbroken father and friendless merchant fed up with his neighbors' brutality. Although many evaluations show Shylock to be a callous character, one famous speech given by him proves he is indeed a passable character with the capabilities of the same feelings as anyone else. Shylock contemplates Antonio's hatred but can only come up with a speech of pure emotion that stimulates the reader's empathy into action: And what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes?

Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? Shylock succumbs to feeling of hatred and becomes antagonistic as a defense mechanism. However, he is no ordinary villain but is bitter as a shield against ceaseless abuse, unjust punishments, and his frustration and loss.