Shylock: Victim or Villian

Shylock: Victim or Villain? In the Merchant of Venice play written by William Shakespeare the character Shylock is highly debated as victim or villain. Throughout the play Shylock is mistreated by everyone. Shylock is physically, emotionally and mentally abused. By the end of the play Shylock has lost everything he owns, including his daughter Jessica. Thus Shylock is in fact a victim during the play. Unfortunately during the play the reader reads about Shylock being mistreated by everyone around him. Solanio and Salerio make fun of Shylock telling him that he’ll never hold up on his part of the bond. “Salerio: Why, I am sure, if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh: what’s that good for” (III.I.45-50). Similar to when Grationo was verbally abusing Shylock during the bond procedure in court. “Gratiano: Beg that thou may’st have leave to hang thyself- and yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Thou hast not left the value of a cord; Therefore thou must be hang’d at the state’s charge.” (IV.I.360-365). Moreover when Shylock is in court demanding that he gets his bond but Portia disagrees with him thoroughly resulting in him losing everything. “Portia: Tarry, Jew; The law hath yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice, If it be prov’d against an alien That by direct or indirect attempts He seek the life of any citizen, The party ‘gainst the which he doth contrive Shall seize half his goods; the other half Comes to privy coffer of the state; And the offender’s life lies in the mercy Of the duke only, ‘gainst all other voice. In which predicament, I say, thou stand’st; For it appears by manifest proceeding, That indirectly, and directly too, Thou hast contriv’d against the very life Of the defendant; and thou hast incurr’d The danger formerly by me rehears’d. Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke.” (IV.I.345-360.) jh

Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. Toronto: Oxford. 1982.

Cited: Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. Toronto: Oxford. 1982.