Shylock Flashcards
Shylock character summary
Jewish moneylender embittered by yrs of abuse from Christian community, A in particular. Seeks revenge from A, appearing as inhumane monster at times, but on occasions breaks away from stereotypes & shows fragile, human emotions
Shylock quotes: prejudice
“I hate him for he is a Christian” - fact that A being Christian is enough to earn Shy’s “hate”
Warns Jess abt “Christian fools w varnish faces” - metaphor, two-faced
Shylock quotes: revenge
“I will feed fat that ancient grudge I bear him” - fric “feed fat” violent. Grotesque imagery/foreshadows pound of flesh. “ancient grudge” abuse gone on for yrs - portrays Shy as villian
Expresses how A has “disgraced [him], and hindered [him] half a million” “laughed at my losses” “mocked at my gains”, “scorned my nation” because “I am a Jew” - emotive, undercut his business,, publically humilated him simply for being a Jew
“And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”
” The villiany you teach me, I will execute” - audience left to wonder who is in the wrong here. Shy using legal system to persecute A, which is exactly what Christians did to him & Jews. Uncomfortable for Eliz audiencd, saying he is behaving like villian bc hes learnt it from Christians.
“since I am a dog, beware my fangs” - bond, A will be torn apart. Playing on insults recieved abt ‘dogs’ throughout play
Shylock quotes: intolerance, bitterness
“Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions…“ “Fed w the same food, hurt w the same weapons… as a Christian is?” “If you prick us do we not bleed? - asyndetic, emotive, rhetoric, Post-Holocaust, its easy for modern audience to sympathise w Shy & even original audience feel his anger. (Biologically the same, so have same basic needs)
“void your rhuem upon my beard” Shy angry that A asking for money
“Hath a dog money? Is it possible a cur can lend three thousand ducats?” making most of leverage, irony
Shylock quotes: money
“O my ducats” he seems to prioritise materialistic concerns over his own “flesh and…blood” gone insane
“He lends out money gratis” - a reason he despises A is bc he doesnt charge interest on loans, affecting profits of userers. Follows stereotype of Jews at time: greedy, only care abt money.
Shylock quotes: love?
“I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys” - sentimental side to Shy? Impression that for once its not the financial value of the ring he cares abt (from wife, Leah)
Shylock quotes: mercy
“Tell me not of mercy” - imperative remark. Already turning down such pleas means we do not expect him to soften in the trial scene. Determined
Shylock quotes: the bond
“I’ll have no speaking, I will have my bond” repetition of “bond” shows Shy’s increasing obsession, lost sanity
“I crave the law, the penalty & forefeit of my bond” - verb “crave” shows desperation (almost like savage animal longing to be fed). For Shy, mercy is a Christian concept he wants no part of, some might say he prefers OT justice, “an eye for an eye & a tooth for a tooth”
“I would have my bond” over “six thousand ducats”
Shylock quotes: anger
“She is dammed for it” Shy to Jess running off w Lorenzo. Connotations of “Dammed” = going to hell, punishment, unforgiving
“I would rather my daughter were dead at my foot” once Shy hears Tubal’s report abt unsuccessful search for Jess. Shakes makes audience sympathy for him plummet w shocking statement. Bitter, hatred
