Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare, in the Merchant of Venice, portrays Shylock as one vivid character who can be analysed in various ways. Shylock is portrayed as a complex character who defies explanation and who will probably never be fully understood. Rather than a one-dimensional villain viewed through the eyes of the Elizabethan era when the play was written, Shylock can also be seen as both an Elizabethan stereotype and a fully drawn human being when the play is viewed through modern eyes. There has been an evolution of the character of Shylock over the years as seen through the eyes of various actors who have played him, from being a stock Shakespearean villain through a man whose better nature was overcome by the desire for revenge to a man who operated not from revenge but from pride. (Brian Weinstein)
Shylock is widely understood as a bloody minded monster as described by Irving. Various adjectives such as villain, evil, deceptive, greedy and monster have been used to explain his character. His name has become a synonym for loan shark in the modern times. When used as a verb, to shylock is understood as lending money at exorbitant rates. It is probable that Shakespeare used the character of Shylock to contrast the mercy of the main Christian characters with the vengefulness of a Jew who lacks the religious grace to comprehend mercy. (Spark Notes)
Shylock is noticeably different from Shakespeare’s other great villains, such as Richard III or Iago, in several ways. Firstly, these other villains see themselves as evil, and while they may try to justify their own villainy and they also revel in it. Secondly, Shakespeare’s other villains are generally more deceitful, passing themselves off as loving and virtuous Christians while plotting malevolently against those around them. Shylock, on the other hand, is an outcast even before the play begins, vilified and spat upon by the Christian characters. Shylock’s actions are relatively open,
William Shakespeare, in the Merchant of Venice, portrays Shylock as one vivid character who can be analysed in various ways. Shylock is portrayed as a complex character who defies explanation and who will probably never be fully understood. Rather than a one-dimensional villain viewed through the eyes of the Elizabethan era when the play was written, Shylock can also be seen as both an Elizabethan stereotype and a fully drawn human being when the play is viewed through modern eyes. There has been an evolution of the character of Shylock over the years as seen through the eyes of various actors who have played him, from being a stock Shakespearean villain through a man whose better nature was overcome by the desire for revenge to a man who operated not from revenge but from pride. (Brian Weinstein)
Shylock is widely understood as a bloody minded monster as described by Irving. Various adjectives such as villain, evil, deceptive, greedy and monster have been used to explain his character. His name has become a synonym for loan shark in the modern times. When used as a verb, to shylock is understood as lending money at exorbitant rates. It is probable that Shakespeare used the character of Shylock to contrast the mercy of the main Christian characters with the vengefulness of a Jew who lacks the religious grace to comprehend mercy. (Spark Notes)
Shylock is noticeably different from Shakespeare’s other great villains, such as Richard III or Iago, in several ways. Firstly, these other villains see themselves as evil, and while they may try to justify their own villainy and they also revel in it. Secondly, Shakespeare’s other villains are generally more deceitful, passing themselves off as loving and virtuous Christians while plotting malevolently against those around them. Shylock, on the other hand, is an outcast even before the play begins, vilified and spat upon by the Christian characters. Shylock’s actions are relatively open,