Money From Shylock example essay topic

Villain of Venice People often find security and self-assurance in acting evil towards other people. They may be out to destroy others, or improve their own social status. However, at the same time, the 'villain'; may also be out for revenge. Shylock, from William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, has each of these motives as he takes on the role of the antagonist in this play. Shylock, the Jew, manages to mistreat almost everyone in his life. He especially acts as a villain towards Lancelet his young servant, Antonio the Christian, and even his own daughter, Jessica.

Shylock is a very harsh master to the young Lancelet. He is very belligerent towards the young boy, and he seems to enjoy mistreating the young boy. 'Who bids thee call? I do not bid thee call. ' ; (Act 2, Scene 5, Line 9) He realizes that Lancelet is much lower than he is on the social and economic level, and he does not let the youngster forget his status by continually acting antagonistic towards him. He makes Lancelet appear to be a sluggard who sleeps all day and does little work.

He always seems to criticize the poor boy behind his back and complain about his laziness. Even after Shylock sees that Lancelet is gone, he continues to reproach his work as a servant. It seems as though Shylock is trying to elevate his own self-esteem, by acting contentious towards his servant. The way in which Shylock treats his own daughter is beyond comprehension. He virtually locks her in the house when he goes to the masque one night. Shylock redundantly enforces the importance that she lock the house up after he leaves.

Lock up my doors, and when you hear the drum... Clamber not you up to the casements then, Nor thrust your head into the public street... But stop my house's ears (I mean my casements). Let not the sound of shallow fop p " ry enter my sober house. (Act 2, Scene 5, Lines 30-37) He makes her captive in her own home and forbids her to so much as look out a window. Jessica refers to her home as hell and, although she is sad to see him go, tells Lancelet that he is making a wise decision.

It is evident throughout the play that Shylock does not care as much for his daughter as he does for his material possessions. When he tells Jessica to lock up the house after he leaves, it is not because he fears for her safety, but rather because he is hesitant about leaving his personal property. When he finds out that Jessica has run away with much of his money and some of his belongings, he cries out, 'Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter, and jewels-two stones, two rich and precious stones-' (Act 2, Scene 8, Lines 17-21) Shylock continually raves about the loss of his beloved money and hardly seems to give a second thought about the fact that his daughter is gone. This shows that he cares that much more about the ducats than he does about his daughter. He treats his daughter very poorly, hardly the way any father should treat his daughter. Shylock is also ruthless with Antonio.

Shylock feels he has justified reasons to be malicious towards him. He thinks that he is entitled to get revenge on Antonio for all the ills he has caused Shylock. He makes his loathsome feelings for Antonio known several times throughout the play. 'I hate him for he is a Christian... He hates our sacred nation, and he rails... Cursed be my tribe if I forgive him!' ; (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 42-52) Then he draws up a barbaric bond with Antonio after he borrows money from Shylock.

He promises to take a pound of flesh from Antonio if he does not repay him by a certain date. When this deadline is upon them, Shylock is persistent in the punishment. He blames all the ailments of his people on Christians, especially Antonio. When Shylock takes Antonio to court, however, his plan to destroy Antonio only backfires on him. Shylock was out for the destruction and revenge of Antonio. In the play The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare portrays the villain as a ruthless and vengeful person.

He mistreats too many people, and when he himself looks for mercy, he is denied. Shylock is such a truculent person that even his own daughter and servant are eager to escape from him. His motives were to avenge and destroy, but in the end, the tables were turned.