Character Profile- Shylock Flashcards
How is Shylock often seen as a villain?
In Act 1, Shakespeare introduces Shylock as a greedy moneylender with a bloodthirsty desire for revenge. The way other characters talk about Shylock adds to the audience’s negative impression of him. Jessica says their house is “hell” and the Christian characters often refer to Shylock as the “devil”. Shylock’s Jewish identity is an important part of his image as a villain and an outsider. He’s outnumbered by Christians who despise him for his faith, and his lifestyle excludes him from cultural activities, like the masque
Contextually, explain the treatment of Jews in Venice
In the 16th century, there was a lot of hostility between Jews and Christians. Jews were allowed to live in Venice because they had an important role in the economy, but they weren’t fully accepted into society. Shylock’s treatment by the Christians would probably have been quite normal at the time
How is Shylock a vengeful character?
Shylock appears to be out to get Antonio from the start. In Act 1, scene 3, he reveals that he holds an “ancient grudge” against Antonio. Shylock’s desire for revenge grows stronger when Jessica runs away from Lorenzo- a Christian. His grief and fury at being betrayed makes him more determined to see Antonio suffer. He repeatedly dismisses pleas to spare Antonio’s life “tell not me of mercy”
He believes that taking a pound of Antonio’s flesh is the only way he’ll have justice for the way Antonio has treated him in the past. Shylock’s obsession with revenge is eventually his downfall in the court scene. He has several chances to take the money and leave but ends up loosing everything and being forced to convert to Christianity.
How is Shylock presented as a victim?
Shylock is victimised for his faith, this could make modern audiences feel sorry for him. Shylock’s lengthly speech to Salerio in Act 3, Scene 1 highlights how unfairly he is treated by showing that he is every bit of human as the Christian characters.
Shylock is devastated when Tubal tells him that Jessica sold the turquoise ring given to Shylock by his wife “Thou torturest me, Tubal”. His emotional response shows a much more tender side to his character.
Shylock doesn’t appear in the final act, and the other characters already seem to have forgotten about him. This might make an audience today wonder if he really deserves his harsh punishments at the trial
Explain how Shylock is a complex character
Shylock is the Jewish merchant of Venice, father to Jessica, enemy to Antonio, and one of the most complex characters of the play and arguably of all of Shakespeare’s work. Shylocks character is largely dependent upon how one chooses to read or portray his words. Productions are varied in their choices about this man, who is in some ways the antagonist, but also arguably the play’s protagonist or at least the pivot of the action. He is sometimes presented as the devil incarnate, purely and inexplicably evil, and sometimes presented as a stereotype for Jewish people. Sometimes he is a cruel and merciless money lender, and sometimes a comic villain who squabbles over his family, money and the lives of others. In some others still, Shylock is portrayed as a justifiably suffering man, he is hated by his countrymen, despised for his religion, culture and occupation, betrayed by his daughter, and ultimately undone by the very city he lives in. Anyone subject to those kind of conditions would be understandingly angry and it could be argued that Shylock’s anger is the natural result of his circumstances.
How is Shylock further presented as a villain?
Shylock does make it hard for us to pity him entirely as a victim of the wrong time in a bad place. Shylock is often rude and base in his interruptions. He’s abrupt with his daughter when he has her, and when she is lost he seems to mourn the loss of wealth more than the loss of his own flesh and blood. He’ll admit that Lancelot is a nice guy but he’s not sad when he leaves either. As it means that his expenses will run higher. Shylock’s first exchange with Bassanio is telling here, he talks about Antonio being “good” and there’s some confusion over the word, Shylock clarifies to him all “good” means is financially sufficient. There’s no moral grey area for Shylock as money runs most of his world, it’s the means by which he makes a living, and also the tool he’ll use to take the life of his moral enemy.
How is Shylock considered principled?
It seems as if he is principled by his religion. There are hints throughout The Merchant Of Venice that Shylock only appears like a miserly and awful man because he is being evaluated within a Christian paradigm, a paradigm that is inherently unsympathetic to who he is and what he believes. When we look at it this way, Shylock’s poignant speech “if you prick us, do we not bleed?” Suddenly makes sense. Pointedly, he reminds the reader that the act of seeking vengeance is something he learned from the Christians. Shylock is constantly belittled for being Jewish from characters like Antonio, Salanio and Salerino. Shylock is the position for a fairly powerless minority and he has no choice but to take the abuse. When Shylock seeks Antonio’s life it is entirely by the book, even in his justified vengeance he is limited by a law that isn’t meant to represent him at all.
What is certain about Shylock?
Even if critics can’t agree on how to interpret Shylock, one thing is certain- the man is an outsider of religion, of nation and of familial love. Shylock stumbles out of the play, broken, humiliated and forced to give up on his defining characteristics, money and religion. He is forced to be content with a world thar doesn’t care or even respect his rules. While Shakespeare throws around anti-semitism about freely, what is remarkable about Shylock’s character and words are the shy nods Shakespeare seems to make to the fact that the man is too complex for Shakespeare or England’s understanding
