” Shylock the Jew, through a careful examination of The Merchant of Venice, is found to be an enduring, magnanimous, forgiving, and law abiding citizen of Venice. With this said, Shylock is driven to into such a state of rage that he seeks to take Antonio’s life. A quote by Shylock says, “ He lends out money gratis and lowers the rate of usance here in Venice”. Hath not a Jew eyes? Shakespeare has cleverly carried out this contrast for effect because he wanted to make it clear to the audience who the villain really is. This is why Shylock is regarded as a villain. In both cases the language is monosyllabic and commanding which shows the audience that Shylock believes he has power over everyone. Shakespeare’s intention here is to show how Shylock constantly wants to be in control, but as we see later in the play this is not always the case. Shylock is a victim of business due to the fact that Antonio lends out money gratis. Shylock: Villain or Victim. He wants revenge: Perhaps it is the loss of Jessica as well as all the harsh treatment he has suffered from Antonio – and others – over the years that makes him bitter enough to ask for Antonio’s pound of flesh. Meaning someone who dies or suffers as a … “. However, they proved Shylock Villain Or Victim Thes to be professional on every level. Study for free with our range of university lectures! Later on in this Act we see Shylock with his knife: The diction here suggests death immediately and these images are quite violent and would alarm the audience. ” I think Shylock is a victim because he is always being made fun of by all the other men in Venice. This simple language is monosyllabic which shows Jessica’s lack of happiness. if every ducat in six thousand ducats, were in six parts and every part a ducat, i would not draw them”. “and what’s his reason? This is extreme dramatic irony. Lancelot wants to run away from Shylock, his master: “I will run as far as God has any ground” which shows deep hatred for Shylock, and leaves him believing that Lancelot is running away because Shylock is treating him badly. It brings down the rate of interest in Venice and this means that Shylock is not able to make money because all the people who borrow it, end up going to Antonio instead. I would be friends with you and have your love, forget the names that you have stained me with, supply your present needs and take no doit of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me! if you tickle us, do we not laugh? When Solanio finds outs that Shylock has lost his daughter and his money in Act 2 Scene 8 he teases Shylock but not to his face: “My ducats and my daughter” The structure of this sentence is clever. Always Deliver Your Order Before Your Mentioned Deadline. The curse never fell upon our nation till now, I never felt it till now. Truthfully, Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is a brilliant play. The Duke shows deep emotion for Antonio at the start, he refers to Antonio as “thee”. In early productions of The Merchant of Venice, actors played Shylock as either a monster or an evil clown, enforcing the idea that he is the villain of the play. In the following paragraphs, it will be shown that Shylock is a villain in every sense of the word. Throughout the play he is mocked and dehumanized (in the entire play, his name is mentioned by characters thrice; anytime else he is “the Jew,” or similar. Further, on in the court scene Antonio admits that he is doomed: This metaphor is compelling and would make the audience sad to see him scared. In Act 3 Scene 3, Antonio has been arrested. The dictionary defines a villain as “a cruelly malicious person” and a victim as “a person who is deceived or cheated”. Gratiano in the court mocks Shylock, “O learned judge”. Max Keyword Density. Maria Johnson. I am a Jew. Shylock is rather teasing as he makes Bassanio sweat for a simple one-word answer: “Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio bound”, “Three thousand ducats: I think I may take this bond”. Our attitudes to Shylock change throughout the play, and he is one of Shakespeare most complicated characters. “If every ducat in 6 thousand ducats were in 6 parts,and every part a ducat,I would not draw them. Yet in an often forgotten moment when Shylock finds out his daughter traded his wife’s ring for a monkey he cares only for its sentimental value. If you need a custom written essay, term paper, research paper on a general topic, or a typical high school, college or university level assignment, you can place an order right away without prior inquiry. This seems fair because all his life he was being pushed around and then he has this chance to take out all those years of misery out on antonio, the cause, in a court. … My ducats and my daughter! Loyalty is a major theme of the play and there is none between these two characters. The way Shakespeare brings the knife into this is he cleverly uses light relief from a minor character to bring this about. Act 4 Scene 1 is the central and most dramatic part of the play where both Shylock and Antonio settle their differences in a courtroom. This stresses the Christian part of the sentence so it will remain in the audience’s minds who they will be not pleased at Shylock. Our academic experts are ready and waiting to assist with any writing project you may have. Firstly it contains law jargon which is a recurring habit of Shylock. He knows that the Venetian justice system will have to support him and so relishes beating Antonio at his own game. He shows his excitment by sharpening the knife on his boots in court, ” not on thy sole, but on thy sole, harsh jew, thou mak’st thy knife keen. He describes his ill-treatement at the hands of Antonio in Act 3, Scene 1, when he says, ‘he hath disgraced me’. In court after Shylock loses his case, part of his punishment as well as monetary Owings is to become Christian. Act 3 Scene 1 was set in Venice, which was the place of business. Furthermore, whenever Shylock talks to either Bassanio or Antonio, he rarely uses gracious language. Shylock: Villain or Victim Essay Sample. Shylock, in my opinion, is a bloodthirsty villain. The way this phrase is constructed is very interesting and typical of Shakespeare. Shylock: villain or victim. He could have pardoned Antonio and shown himself to be morally superior – but would this have done him any good in the long run? If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? So this could infer how he likes his money more than his daughter. Shylock as being a character symbolizes the Old Legs, Judaism, which can be the belief of justice, retribution and following the law by letter. The fact that the Duke addresses him as “thee”, is quite significant as “thee” is used intimately. This throws Shylock into a state of rage. The dictionary defines a villain as “a cruelly malicious person” and a victim as “a person who is deceived or cheated”. This simple language is monosyllabic which shows Jessica’s lack of happiness. At this point, Shylock is basically defined as a villain, but because he is constantly ridiculed and humiliated by Antonio his revenge could be understood somewhat. One of the strongest themes in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is revenge.Shylock is a greedy Jewish moneylender who has been insulted, spit on, harassed, and made to … so in someways he is a victim but sometimes a villian I think Shylock is a villain because of his actions and emotions. Even though Shylock refuses 6 times the original amount; ” if every ducat in six thousand ducats, were in six parts and every part a ducat, i would not draw them “, I still feel he is a victim as he has put up with a lifetime of abuse. Shylock is definitely the most villainous character in the play, and only a few elements can show him as a victim overall, even then, his victimisation only seems to be a consequence of his own actions. I am a Jew. When Tubal brings news of Jessica to Shylock, Shylock says “Two thousand ducats in that, and other precious, precious jewels! This phrase would cause high dramatic tension. We NEVER reveal your identity or personal information to any 3rd parties. How should he react? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. Namely, he is vengeful, very materialistic and shrewd. This adds to Shylock’s vulnerability as he is alone with no friends and friendship is a vital theme of the play. Our paper writers are able to help you with all kinds of essays, including application essays, persuasive essays, and Shylock Villain Or Victim Thes so on. In the Merchant of Venice, Shylock speaks of how he is offended by Christians and the names he is called by them. The audience would not enjoy Shylock attaining power especially over Bassanio , who is a Christian. Shakespeare has cleverly written this sentence so that every word, bar, Christian has one syllable whereas the word Christian has two. Shakespeare’s purpose here is to show the audience what Shylock’s own blood and flesh thinks of him, evidently deep loathing. ), and the characters blew up his minor errors when they themselves had large sins of their own (Bassanio lived off of others, Jessica is an ungrateful daughter who steals from her father and runs away, Lorenzo is a hypocrite… So, enough about my opinions. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. He made the deal with Antonio because he believed Antonio’s ships would come back. As an Elizabethan audience would suddenly conclude that Shylock is a villain, an audience from Britain in the days of the Holocaust would have the greater part saying he’s a victim. Nevertheless, the whole audience is swept away by this speech. and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? Shakespeare has cleverly carried out this contrast for effect because he wanted to make it clear to the audience who the villain really is. As opposed to his typical role as the wicked blood thirsty villain. Shylock has been called a dog, an insult for a Jew, “…. These quotations are all important because it shows how Shakespeare has presented shylock as both a villain and a victim. The way this phrase is constructed is very interesting and typical of Shakespeare. Firstly Shakespeare has used alliteration so the audience can clearly hear the words especially “daughter” and “ducats” as they are important here. Is Shylock a villain or victim? He is persecuted by all the non-Jews he knows: He tells Antonio, “suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe”. The audience would see this as quite peculiar and sickening that he has even brought his own scales to measure the flesh, it is almost as if he knew that this would be the outcome. ” I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. everybody is treating him unfairly and he feels that to make it fair then he should be aloud to do it too, I feel that this is reasonable . Shylock only seems to remember the bloody details of his bond, “I cannot find it”. I think that Shylock is a villain. Shylock is persecuted by the Christians in Venice, because he is a Jew. They flatter me. Finally, I would like to reiterate that Shylock is a tyrannical and bloodthirsty villain instead of a tragic figure, whom many might sympathize with. Shylocks’ daughter, Jessica elopes with Lorenzo and takes his money, jewels and family honour. However the question still remains: Shylock victim or villain? Shylock speaks carelessly about the loss of Antonio’s fortunes and sailors as sea, which demonstrates the spitefulness of Shylock. The audience would not enjoy Shylock attaining power especially over Bassanio , who is a Christian. He calculates what Antonio has done to him and tries to revenge the wrongs done to him by murdering Antonio. O be damned inexcrable dog. At this time, Jews were treated very badly and were frequently excluded by their community. By Shakespeare . He cleverly argues in Act III, scene 1 that he is as much a man as a Christian is and so will follow the example the Christians set by seeking revenge. We’re committed to protecting your privacy. Paper Outline. But on the other hand he refused to take any sum of money, even six times the original amount. This leaves the audience feeling sorry for Shylock and therefore leaving the image of Shylock as a victim. This stresses the Christian part of the sentence so it will remain in the audience’s minds who they will be not pleased at Shylock. After reading the play I can also see how other readers would view Shylock as a victim because he has lost everything including his family and he is the only character who ends of up with less than he started with. He is a victim of his religion, and a victim of his greed and overwhelming need for revenge. ” Overall, I believe Shylock is a hero and a villain because of the thing he’s said,and the deeds he’s done. The definition of victim is a person who dies or suffers as a result of voluntarily undertaking some enterprise or pursuit. He is verbally abused and bullied by most characters in the play and is called cruel names including “villain with a smiling cheek, cut-throat dog, bloody creditor, damned inexecrable dog”. Does he genuinely want to be friends with Antonio when he says “I would be friends with you, and have your love”? Evidently, this shows that Shylock does not want justice but revenge and the audience would see that clearly. Shylock repeats himself for revenge again and has many horrific ideas such as the “pound of flesh”. Shylock’s response to this was extremely important. A “cut throat dog” suggests death and execution which would make the audience shiver. Private & confidential. Portia pleads powerfully in her speech and uses two types of images to persuade him religious and monarchy. AuroraBorealis offline. This provokes him into craving his bond and truly becoming villainous. All work is written to order. “. ” -Shylock Often, this quote from Act 3 Scene 1 line 83, “Why, there, there, there, there! your own paper. “and what’s his reason? The word “bond” is a key word used consistently through the play especially by Shylock. “forfeit”, “sworn”, “cat” and “rat”. Shakespeare intends this as he gives Shylock emotive speeches about inequality, which contradicts Shylock as being a villain. After his daughter ran away, she was, for all intents and purposes, disowned. “I thank God, I thank God. The atmosphere is drastically tense, Shakespeare uses hyperbolic language to express emotional sadness. The other characters think he is evil. Retrieved from https://graduateway.com/shylock-villain-or-victim/, This is just a sample. We use the most reliable Shylock Villain Or Victim Essay plagiarism detecting software to check your papers! ’ This quote clearly shows his desire for wealth rather than love or family. We will happily write your homework even with 3 hrs. Evidently, Shylock is repetitive and he is controlling the dialogue. Shylock, with Antonio is the major character in the play, at times referred to as a villain and sometimes a victim. cut throat dog”. We can see here how there is a contrast in the language used when referring to Jessica and Shylock. At this time people believed in the chain of being which was a hierarchy of beings. The animal imagery is crude and based on vermin which makes Shylock seem uncanny in the eyes of the audience. In these sets of examples, Shakespeare uses language and scenarios to suggest Shylock is a victimized character. Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. Shylock is a Jewish moneylender and is initially portrayed as anger filled and bloodthirsty but as the play continues we begin to see him as more human and his emotions become more evident. At the end of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock has been both a victim and a villain. There are quite a few reasons for Shylock being a villain in my opinion supported by text from the play. The language is monosyllabic but awfully potent. Although he may have deserved a chance to get revenge he refused an offer of six times the original amount of ducats saying “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. ...Shylock is a villain, because he denied twice the sum of the bond (6,000 ducats) so that he could attempt to kill Antonio. At the time the Merchant of Venice was written, Jews were neglected and abused by Christians. He is arguing for common humanity as he feels alienated and vulnerable. I also feel that he is treated unfairly when Antonio makes im “presently become a Christian” as , in my views, a persons religion is something that you should not tamper with. These words are significant because they show his passion for revenge. In the play the ‘Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare the antagonist Shylock is both the victim and the villain. This play has numerous themes embedded into it and possibly the most important is friendship. O my ducats! Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. Here at the end of the speech I believe the audience would have been silenced as Shylock touches on some sensitive topics. Caught out by Portia, by the end of the trial he has lost all his money and has to suffer the humiliation of being forced to become a Christian. Certainly after World War II there is a more sympathetic view towards Shylock, comparative to the 1500’s where the majority of the audience would have been against Shylock regardless of the abuse he has to tolerate during the play. This is a very contentious phrase in the play. Shakespeare’s language here is purposeful as he has used rhyming couplets for dramatic effect and also to stress the importance of these words. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy, The input space is limited by 250 symbols. “what wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice”. Shylock, with Antonio is the major character in the play, at times referred to as a villain and sometimes a victim. The word “devil” adds to the running motif in the play as Shylock is always referred to as devil-like. The animal imagery is crude and based on vermin which makes Shylock seem uncanny in the eyes of the audience. Copyright © 2003 - 2021 - UKEssays is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. In context Lancelot should respect his master not deceive him. The imagery created by this is powerful in the sense that Antonio is like a fruit which is slowly buthylock, “O learned judge”. Shylock, in my opinion, is a bloodthirsty villain. Shakespeare uses an oxymoron to portray the contrast between them, which creates images in the audience’s heads which some may find funny an others ironic. Firstly, Shylock is extremely vengeful. This unrhymed verse is striking to the audience for various reasons. At this juncture the audience would have commiseration for Shylock because the contrast of how he is treated compared with Antonio, here Shylock is seen as a victim. Throughout the play, Shylock is portrayed as many things, both victim and villain, therefore making him an extremely ambiguous character. He also makes a religious joke at Shylock’s expense. Shakespeare makes Shylock ruthless and cold in this act, which makes us think he truly is the villain of this play. Do you think this is this a sign of strength or foolishness? Is shylock a victim or a villain essay - romeo and juliet literary analysis essay. VAT Registration No: 842417633. While Antonio speaks from his personal opinion, readers become aware that many others feel this way about Shylock. I think shylock is a victim because he thinks that he should have every right to fulfill the bond, even if it is a little extreme. We never find out what happens to him. Such as “penalty and forfeit”. This is why Shylock would have been regarded as a villain as well during this era. The atmosphere is drastically tense, Shakespeare uses hyperbolic language to express emotional sadness. If every ducat in 6 thousand ducats were in 6 parts,and every part a ducat,I would not draw them. Essays are the most common type of academic paper – and Shylock Villain Or Victim Thes sometimes, you are assigned just too many of them. Shylock’s victimization is also contrary to the fact that Shylock can also be seen ass a villain. Antonio’s wishes are extreme, we see the extremeness when Antonio says, ” He presently become a Christian,The other, that do record a gift here in the court, of all he dies possessed unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter. O my daughter! This quote shows the opinion the others have of Shylock. *You can also browse our support articles here >. In the Merchant of Venice Shylock is portrayed as both a victim and a villain. Merchant of Venice: Is Shylock a Victim or Villian? Shylock also does not like how there is a big difference between Jews and Christians: Shylock has a lot of anger in him and has expressed himself very emotionally here. This is extreme dramatic irony. Is it true, is it true? These words are significant because they show his passion for revenge. Namely, he is vengeful, very materialistic and shrewd. When Salerio asks Shylock what good would Antonio’s flesh do Shylock if Antonio forfeits the bond, he replies, “If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. ” Shylock suggests the forfeiture of the bond playfully, whereas it is actually a cunning plan to murder Antonio with the law on his side. “Out upon her! In the following situations Shylock is victimized by others around him because he is Jewish. His great respect for law and order are shown in the following quotes from Act 4 Scene. As a Jew, in the play Shylock is the victim of racism, at this time, it is the 1500s so Jews were persecuted most of the time. Further, on in the court scene Antonio admits that he is doomed: “the weakest kind of fruit” This metaphor is compelling and would make the audience sad to see him scared. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what’s his reason? This would have an inducing effect on the audience because this phrase would leave them to answer this question in their own mind. In many ways he certainly seems to be the antagonist of the story: one of his primary functions is as the obstacle standing between Portia and Bassanio’s wedded bliss. Villain or victim, Shakespeare’s Shylock is a character to celebrate In his contemporary revision of The Merchant of Venice, Howard Jacobson set out to … The imagery created by this is powerful in the sense that Antonio is like a fruit which is slowly but surely falling of the tree, this persuades the audience and reassures them who the villain is. As we see throughout the play Shylock demands for things to be done by the law, “is that the law?”. “An inhuman wretch, incapable of pity, void and empty”. My paper on history has never been so good. In addition, Jessica is taking all Shylock’s wealth and money is a big theme of the play, which Shakespeare exploits here. He is very confident that he will win, telling Antonio while he is in prison,”Thou call’dst me dog … But since I am a dog, beware my fangs”. “this shows antonio mistreets shylock for no real reason exept his religion. The main reason for this is because of the enormous amount of Jews killed in this period, for committing no offence whatsoever. The play is set mainly in Venice, which at the time was the city of trade, and which Shakespeare’s audience would have found exotic. But, within the Jewish culture and the time period, his response was appropriate. In Act 3 Scene 3, Antonio has been arrested. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email. The imagery created is extremely efficacious because Shylock has an extremely valid point and has divulged this with a rhetorical question. The Merchant of Venice June 8th, 2011 In the play The Merchant of Venice Shylock is supposed to be the protagonist, the definition of protagonist is; the leading character or a major character in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text. The Merchant of Venice. So, why does he make such a strange agreement with Antonio, asking for a pound of Antonio’s flesh instead of interest if the loan is not repaid within the arranged time? Had Jessica not left he may have stayed within reason of right and wrong. The utilisation of a rhetorical question has enabled Shylock to communicate indirectly to the audience, which could influence their opinion of him.
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