Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice

Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The play begins in Venice where the wealthy merchant Antonio is talking to his young friends about the reasons for the depression. Antonio claims not to understand himself his sad nature. Bassanio arrives with the news that he wishes to court a wealthy, beautiful heiress named Portia. In order to present himself to Portia he wants to borrow 3000 ducats. Bassanio is in terrible debt and he sees marriage to Portia as a way out of financial problem. Antonio claims he cannot raise 3000 ducats himself but he offers to stand as security for any loan which Bassanio can arrange. The subplot introduces Portia and Nerissa. Shakespeare provides†¦show more content†¦Shylock does not know that Jessica his daughter indeed plans to rob her father and elope with Christian Lorenzo that night. When Shylock returns from supper with Antonio he finds his house empty. The audience learn from Salarino and Solanio of Shylocks reaction to the loss of his daughter. The Christians laugh at the agony suffered by Shylock and the audience begin to realise that Antonio invites Shylock to dinner in order that Jessica could rob her father and elope with a Christian. The audience hear from Salanio that Shylock has ranted through the streets of Venice â€Å"my daughter, oh my ducats, oh my daughter†. We understand Shylocks diamantine in that he cannot speak a simple sentence in order. We also realise that he immediately blames Antonio and Bassanio for his loss. The first inclination is given that Antonio’s fleets are in trouble. When Antonio and Bassanio are parted, Antonio was aware that Shylocks bond may indeed be called to be answered â€Å"and for the Jews bond in which he hath of me let it not enter in your mind of love†. Shylock is further insulted and dismayed by accounts of his daughters behaviour. Salario and Solarinio taunt Shylock with their knowledge of Jessica is nothing like her father, hinting that indeed he is not her true father â€Å"I say my daughter isShow MoreRelatedShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1694 Words   |  7 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Introduction One of the most interesting and dramatic characters in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is the rich, despised money-lending Jew Shylock. It is impossible to judge Shylock’s character by our own modern Standards, simple because Shakespeare wrote this play for play goers in Elizabethan times. This was very different to modern times for two reasons. Firstly, people watching the play would not find itRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1385 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Through time there have been many successful individuals in literature writers, poets, and play writers. 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It is impossible to judge Shylock’s character by our own modern Standards, simple because Shakespeare wrote this play for play goers in Elizabethan times. This was very different to modern times for two reasons. Firstly, people watching the play would not find it strange to feel sorry for a character, then a few moments later, to be screaming for their blood! Secondly, nearly everyone in Shakespeare’s time was racist, and it was common for people to dislike Jews and think of them of†¦show more content†¦Salerio also compares Jews and Shylock to the devil. This comparison meant that Christians believed Jews to be the most evil of creatures, similar to the Devil. Shakespeare uses these comparisons to bring jeers, screams for blood and cries for hate from the audience. Shylock clearly distinguished as a sort of devil by theses quotations, which were designed to make viewers despise and even fear him. Antonio and Bassanio are the heroes in the play, and therefore the crowed accepts Shylock as a villain when Antonio or Bassanio speak against him, because the enemy of a hero, is a villain. The relationship between Shylock and Antonio is one of the most interesting aspects of the play. Shylock has a deep hate for Antonio for these main reasons. Firstly, Antonio is a Christian. Jews are hated and wronged by Christians, and have had to endure much suffering at the hand of Christians. â€Å"He hates our sacred nation.† This is spoken by Shylock about Antonio. Secondly, Antonio often mocks and criticises Shylock, and treats him little better than a mongrel. Shylock has been waiting patiently for his chance for revenge, and will not give up his bond, not even for ducats. Thirdly, Antonio is very bad for Shylock’s business of money-lending because Antonio lends out money withoutShow MoreRelatedShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1401 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The play begins in Venice where the wealthy merchant Antonio is talking to his young friends about the reasons for the depression. Antonio claims not to understand himself his sad nature. Bassanio arrives with the news that he wishes to court a wealthy, beautiful heiress named Portia. In order to present himself to Portia he wants to borrow 3000 ducats. Bassanio is in terrible debt and he sees marriage to PortiaRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1385 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Through time there have been many successful individuals in literature writers, poets, and play writers. 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This is a tale set in the heart of Venice, amongst the Venetian Christians and Jews. The history of the Jews is marked by terrible hardship and atrocities; Jewish people kept up their customs and religion formed tight knit communities and became known for their intelligent hard workRead MoreCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1893 Words   |  8 PagesCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The ‘Merchant of Venice’ was written at a time when there was great prejudice towards the Jewish race. They were known for their intelligence, hard work and business acumen, which later led them to be mistreated and resented. They were made to wear distinctive clothing in order to be identified, and citizens of Venice could treat Jews in any way they wished. The Christian church also taught that JewsRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay1158 Words   |  5 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice A key feature of the play The Merchant Of Venice is the issue of whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. This issue is raised at many crucial points most of which can be separated into the categories victim or villain. Act 1 Scene 3 displays Shylock as a sensible business man. This is our first introduction of Shylock and therefore produces our first impressions. The first point where Shylocks character isRead MoreEssay Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice2094 Words   |  9 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice By the end of Act 4 scene 1, my view of Shylock is a man who wishes to get revenge at society by trying to take the flesh of a Venetian merchant because of the prejudices that are thrown at him. Shylock is a rich Jewish moneylender and a widow whose daughter has eloped with a Christian, Lancelot. Shylock is treated with the lowest kind of integrity and respect in Venice this was normal for Jews in the VictorianRead MoreSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1596 Words   |  7 PagesSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In the Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare creates an atmosphere throughout the play, which causes the audience to sympathize with Shylock. Shakespeare uses key events, and dialogue to influence the audience. At the time Shakespeare wrote his plays, and they were performed, the contemporary audience would have mainly consisted of Christians. Jews were often persecuted, as they were the minority.Read MoreShylock as the Villain in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1948 Words   |  8 PagesShylock as the Villain in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice in about 1597. It was first performed by The Chamberlains Men at the Theatre Shoreditch. The Merchant of Venice was in the repertory of Shakespeares company before they took up residence at the Globe in 1599. The play was written as a comedy, but has become a serious drama. In order to answer the question it is vital to look at the pervading