Shylock vs Aaron the Moor
Bruce Park
October 22, 2012
At the Disneyland entrance, two of Shakespeare’s most infamous characters have a fateful encounter.
Shylock: What, cursed trash of this world?! You refuse to let me in despite my generous offer of 10 ducats payment?
Ticket booth employee: Look, man, my job is hard enough as it is. Come back with some real cash or I’m going to have to call security.
Aaron: Why hath this cavalcade halted? What holds us motionless here?
(Shylock turns and makes eye contact with Aaron)
Shylock (rubbing hands): Hark! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shylock…. The Christian…. I come here to relieve myself of the horrors done to me. Perhaps this “Mickey Mouse” will enlighten my spirits.
Aaron: And I, Aaron the Moor. What ails you so, my friend? What wrongs have been done?
Shylock: What wrongs? These Christians have wronged me over and over again. O, how it wrenches my heart to think of that Antonio. “I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance” (1.3.42-45).
Aaron: Ay, so you despise him simply for his own being. Let the evil in your heart take- Shylock- Nay, I have my reasons. “He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned at my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies- and what’s his reason? I am a Jew” (3.1.53-57). This burning anger fed my revenge and only Antonio’s flesh will suffice. But enough about me, what brings you hither?
Aaron: Me? To see what further evil I may exact upon these children. Like you, I was shunned but only for my darker complexion. “A barbarous Moor” (2.3.78) they called me.
Shylock: Poor soul, you have my sympathy.
Aaron: Sympathy? Ha! I ask for no sympathy. I relish pain. In fact, I commited countless crimes against Titus just for the hell of it. I caused the death of his children and even severed his arm. Ay, I exploited their
October 22, 2012
At the Disneyland entrance, two of Shakespeare’s most infamous characters have a fateful encounter.
Shylock: What, cursed trash of this world?! You refuse to let me in despite my generous offer of 10 ducats payment?
Ticket booth employee: Look, man, my job is hard enough as it is. Come back with some real cash or I’m going to have to call security.
Aaron: Why hath this cavalcade halted? What holds us motionless here?
(Shylock turns and makes eye contact with Aaron)
Shylock (rubbing hands): Hark! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shylock…. The Christian…. I come here to relieve myself of the horrors done to me. Perhaps this “Mickey Mouse” will enlighten my spirits.
Aaron: And I, Aaron the Moor. What ails you so, my friend? What wrongs have been done?
Shylock: What wrongs? These Christians have wronged me over and over again. O, how it wrenches my heart to think of that Antonio. “I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance” (1.3.42-45).
Aaron: Ay, so you despise him simply for his own being. Let the evil in your heart take- Shylock- Nay, I have my reasons. “He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned at my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies- and what’s his reason? I am a Jew” (3.1.53-57). This burning anger fed my revenge and only Antonio’s flesh will suffice. But enough about me, what brings you hither?
Aaron: Me? To see what further evil I may exact upon these children. Like you, I was shunned but only for my darker complexion. “A barbarous Moor” (2.3.78) they called me.
Shylock: Poor soul, you have my sympathy.
Aaron: Sympathy? Ha! I ask for no sympathy. I relish pain. In fact, I commited countless crimes against Titus just for the hell of it. I caused the death of his children and even severed his arm. Ay, I exploited their