Shylock as a plot device in The Merchant of Venice It is evident that anti-Semitism is a theme in William Shakespeare’s comedy The Merchant of Venice. However‚ the categorization of the play as a comedy has troubled people for some time. It is clear that if Shylock were removed from the play all of the problems that surround the play’s comedic status would disappear. Shylock functions as less of a man‚ and more of an object to reveal the social injustices at work in the play‚ and in the period in
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decree. Scene Three 1) Shylock- How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian. 2) Shylock- I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. 3) Antonio- The devil can site scripture for his purpose. 4) Shylock- You call me misbeliever‚ cut-throat dog‚ and spat upon my Jewish gabardine. Act Two Scene Two 1) Launcelot- Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation. 2) Launcelot- It is a wise father that knows his own child. Scene Three 1) Jessica- Our house is hell‚ and
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as comic and Shylock the Jew was the villain. As time passed he was pitied‚ and after the Second World War the play was seen as tragic. This context is very important when understanding why the social group of the Jews was originally depicted as untrustworthy‚ greedy‚ materialistic‚ cruel and unmerciful‚ since these where the characteristics of the stereotypical Jew of the moment. There are few Jewish characters in the play; I will start by analysing Shylock’s behaviour. Shylocks first appearance
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for what you wish for. Just as Shylock asked for justice‚ and in the end‚ justice was served. Throughout The Merchant of Venice‚ the themes of mercy and justice are continuously contradicting when it comes to Shylock’s situation with Antonio‚ in the court scene. In the play‚ Shylock has a deep desire for his bond to be satisfied and justice to prevail. In this Shakespearian time period‚ Jews are looked down upon. They are not treated as equals to the Christians. Shylock had a well justified reason
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the reason why Antonio called Shylock a dog and spat on his gaberdine whenever he saw him. In act 1‚ scene 3‚ lines 95-95‚ Shylock said “You call me a misbeliever‚ cut-throat dog‚ And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine‚ And all for use of that which is mine own”. Antonio did these things toward Shylock because he was a Jew. Christians acted this way towards Jews also because they were usurers. If Antonio would loan money‚ he would not charge any interest on the money. Shylock‚ on the other hand‚ would charge
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refer to Shylock as “the dog jew” which is just Shakespeare saying that they are treated like mutts‚ which in turn supports the stereotype that jews were animals (2.8.14). Another stereotype was that jews were greedy. When Jessica‚ Shylock’s daughter‚ runs away with all of Shylock’s money‚ he is reported to have been running down the street shouting “O my ducats! O my daughter!” (2.8.15). This means that he cares about his money equally as he loves his daughter. Then when you look at Jessica‚ she too
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Antonio’s counterpart‚ Shylock‚ is the most noteworthy figure in Shakespeare’s comedy‚ The Merchant of Venice. No consensus has been reached on whether Shylock is a tyrannical villain or a tragic victim. Shylock‚ in my opinion‚ is a bloodthirsty villain. In the following paragraphs‚ it will be shown that Shylock is a villain in every sense of the word. Namely‚ he is vengeful‚ very materialistic and shrewd. Firstly‚ Shylock is extremely vengeful. When Salerio asks Shylock what good would Antonio’s
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Characters: Shylock Lorenzo Portia Nerrisa Antonio Graziano Jessica Bassanio Despite being written in the late sixteenth century‚ Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is a timeless piece and provides great themes to be analyzed for purposes of a book report. The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s less popular comedies‚ having been plagued in recent times with complaints of anti-Semitic themes. The summary of this really has to do with the character Shylock‚ a caricature
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beautiful heiress of Belmont. The second part deals with the bond Antonio makes with Shylock‚ the wealthy Jew. Antonio agrees that if the three thousand ducats he borrows are not repaid within three months he will lose a pound of flesh in order to finance Bassanio’s courtship. Bassanio eventually wins Portia but discovers that Antonio has forfeited the bond. However‚ disguised as a lawyer‚ Portia crushes Shylock in the Venetian Court when he tries to get his pound of flesh‚ and the Christians return
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Merchant of Venice” is a play‚ so the audience can see the strong feelings:- “’The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought; ‘tis mine‚ and I will have it” pg.70. This is when Shylock demands his pound of flesh of Bassanio. This long speech is when the Duke is questioning Shylocks unusual bond. Shylock the Jew is determined to take revenge and to take the pound of flesh. The ‘Merchant of Venice’ is a play‚ so you cannot see feelings through letters; this is why Shakespeare presents strong
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