Shylock Essay

Complex characters can be very difficult to relate to. Their split personalities can be very misleading and cause the reader to make inaccurate assumptions. One moment he or she could be a positive, innocent individual, and then they could suddenly reveal themselves as a devious, evil mastermind. William Shakespeare created several of these complex characters in literature over the years including Macbeth, Hamlet, and Romeo. In another one of Shakespeare’s plays, “Merchant of Venice”, the antagonist, Shylock, is often labeled as a complex character as well. He works as a Jewish moneylender in the predominantly Christian, Italy. During this time period, Shylock and his fellow Jews are treated as second-class citizens. In one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and memorable soliloquies, Shylock addresses Salerio and Solanio on what its like living openly as a Jew and all the injustice he has endured. Through Shylock’s diction he reveals personal traits such as logic, passion, cruelty, and a never-ending thirst for revenge, which all contribute to him being labeled a complex character.
The diction in this soliloquy provides a perfect example of why Shylock’s character is commonly known as one of the most passionate characters in any Shakespearian play. In this case, Shylock shows his passion through pride for Jewish people and culture. Living in a place where his kind are not accepted, he shows he does not let others maltreatment affect his self-image. Shylock proudly states, “I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” (3.1.55-57). It is very uncommon for a Jew to be so open about his religion during this time period. Shylock’s bold statement really says a lot about his true character and the pride he takes in being a Jew. Although, he lets his passion exceed its bounds a bit by going off at a tangent for revenge, in lines 55 through 57 he still show it is his way of showing he cares for his people. While Shylock may be passionate, the diction also shows why Shylock is frequently described as cruel and heartless. As a moneylender, Shylock does not like to waver from his agreements. To him, a deal is a deal, and it must be carried out just as promised. Thus, when Antonio did not have the money to pay back Shylock for the loan; he demanded a pound of his flesh. When questioned by Salerio and Solanio about why he so desperately wanted Antonio’s flesh, Shylock replied, “To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge” (3.1.50-51). Shylock’s anger is very apparent in this statement. He is saying that even if he does not have a direct use for the flesh, he will feed it to the fish. That alone is enough to give him pleasure.
In this specific passage, Shylock’s diction also shows he is a man of logic. Although he can appear monstrous at times, Shylock’s motives are not naturally driven. His anger and thirst for revenge are a direct result of mistreatment of Jews at the hands of Christians over the years. When Shylock says, “Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is?” (3.1.57-60), he is pleading that mistreatment of Jews is unfair, because they are really no different than Christians. Jews and Christians eat the same food, bleed when hurt, become ill from the same diseases, and live among each other. They are all humans who are only separated by their beliefs. At this point in the soliloquy, Shylock’s logic is sensible and fair, which is viewed as a positive trait by readers. Although Shylock seems fairly logical early in the soliloquy, his words become increasingly dark, revealing his deep infatuation with revenge. He wants Christians to feel the same pain and suffering they have caused his people in the past. In the previous lines he makes his case that Christians and Jews are not all that different. Continuing on he explains why revenge is necessary, “If you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrongs a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrongs a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why revenge.” (3.1.62-67). It is clear from these lines that Shylock is obsessed and revenge ridden. He does not believe in sympathy, so he will not settle for anything less than a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Shylock’s pain runs deep within him and the only way he will be happy is if he can have his revenge. In one of the most famous passages in the “Merchant of Venice”, Shylock’s diverse word choice depicts him as a complex character with a varying personality. He can be perceived as a shrewd, honest businessman then transforms into a vengeful, flesh-craving beast. Truth is, Shylock is a man of logic and principles who is very passionate about his people. However, it is also true that he is extremely cruel and hopelessly obsessed with revenge. His balance between good and evil is what makes his character so fascinating and certainly one of Shakespeare’s all time greatest characters.