and whether the works attributed to him were written by others. Character Analysis Shylock: Although critics tend to agree that Shylock is The Merchant of Venice’s most noteworthy figure‚ no consensus has been reached on whether to read him as a bloodthirsty bogeyman‚ a clownish Jewish stereotype‚ or a tragic figure whose sense of decency has been fractured by the persecution he endures. Certainly‚ Shylock is the play’s antagonist‚ and he is menacing enough to seriously imperil the happiness
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In this assessment I will analyse Shakespeare’s use of language‚ structure and dramatic techniques to present the relationship between Shylock and the Christians at different points of the play. I will first look at Act 1 Scene 3‚ where we learn that Shylock has suffered mercilessly at the hands of the Christians and now harbors an almost sadistic hatred towards them. This can be evidence by Shylock’s statement to Antonio. “You………gabardine‚”. This statement allows the audience to gain an understanding
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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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In Shakespeare ’s The Merchant of Venice‚ Shylock is a Jew who struggles to adjust to a Christian society that belittles him. Antonio is a devout Christian. Shylock’s relationship with Antonio reveals that he is biased against Christians‚ and in this way both Shylock and Antonio exhibit similarities in how each perceive "the other." Both Shylock and Antonio are racially biased and they both put down each other. Shylock claims to be victimized by Christians; however‚ he exploits Christians in business
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Portia: Is thy name Shylock? Shylock: Yes. Portia: Of a strange nature is the suit you follow. (To Antonio): You stand within his danger‚ do you not? Antonio: Ay‚ so he says. Portia: Do you confess the bond? Antonio: I do. Portia: Then must the Jew be merciful. Shylock: On what compulsion must I? Portia: The quality of mercy is not strained; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath: it is twice blest‚ it blesses him that gives and him that takes. It becomes the throned
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extreme. He values only money‚ and not family. After Jessica runs away Shylock states‚ “I would my daughter were dead at my foot‚ and the jewels in her ear.” (III. i. 79-80). When Jessica runs away‚ he does not care that she is gone. He only wishes for his money‚ which she has stolen‚ to be returned to him. Shylock also prioritizes himself and what he has to gain over the lives of others. While making the deal with Antonio‚ Shylock states‚ “Expressed in the condition‚ let the forfeit be nominated for
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In the play The Merchant of Venice Shylock‚ a rich Jewish moneylender in Venice agrees to loan Bassanio three thousand ducats on Antonio’s guarantee. Shylock is made to be the villain in the Merchant of Venice because of some of the things he does. But even though he may not have been the only one in the wrong‚ he is still guilty of the deadly sins of‚ avarice‚ envy‚ and wrath. Shylock is guilty of avarice for these reasons; for one Shylock loans money to Antonio at the cost of a pound
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Venice‚ the character of Shylock reveals to us Shakespeare’s attitude towards the Jewish people and anti-Semitism. Throughout the play Shylock is treated with a continuum of hostility and disrespect from the other characters. Many would argue that Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice condones anti-Semitism‚ but if a closer look is taken‚ Shakespeare’s playwright actually supports an opposing point of view. We see this through character quotes and speeches‚ particularly Shylock and Antonio. This is noticeable
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values and relationships. Shakespeare displays Shylock‚ one of the main characters in the play The Merchant of Venice in his relationships with fellow humans through the conflict of different religions and faiths. Shakespeare depicts Shylock to the audience as angry when he is around Christians especially Antonio. “You call me misbeliever‚ cut-throat dog‚ and spit upon my Jewish gabardine‚ and all for the use of that which is mine own” here Shylock reclaims the despicable manner that Antonio has
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revolves around fairness and so karma since in the end Shylock does not deserve what he gets. First of all‚ Shylock is portrayed as the victim in the play; he is not mean. He has never done anything to hurt Antonio who is in fact the bad guy. Shylock is being persecuted by Antonio and his friends‚ because he is a Jew. Antonio had spit on Shylock‚ called him a misbeliever‚ a dog‚ had disgraced him‚ thwarted his bargains and more. While Shylock did nothing but take it without responding‚ in hope that
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