Skylocks Defence
In the play the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, thecharacter ShylockÕs portrayal changes a great deal. This manÕs image goes fromthat of a cruel and evil murder to a pitiful and helpless beggar of mercy.These circumstances raise the question of what kind of man Shylock truly is,and whether or not the reader should feel pity for him. There is no doubt thatShylock is a man with faults, but there is evidence to suggest that hisintentions though cruel and heartless are the result of years of unjustprovocation on the part of Antonio. Shylock reveals a very dark side of himself once he has Antonio at hismercy. Out of context, ShylockÕs actions would be perceived by most people tobe savagely unmerciful. Shylock refuses twice the bond which is owed to him byAntonio, and upon seeing his determination to have AntonioÕs life, the Dukeasks him ŌHow shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none?Ķ (IV,I, 88) ShylockÕs
There is a bitter past and a history of problems between Shylock andAntonio. Well then, it now appears you need my help. As a result Shylock becomes aman whom the audience sympathizes with at the end of the play. Cursed be my tribeIf I forgive him! (I,III,38-49)In other words he is accusing Antonio of being a vicious anti Semite whosepractice of loaning interest free money is a great threat to his livelihood. ShylockÕs inability tofind this mercy for Antonio becomes forgivable. This quote indicates that ShylockÕs motives against Antonio stem both from adesire to gain personal revenge as well as revenge for the injustices ofChristians suffered by the Jewish people. Under these circumstancesit would take a very pious man to offer Antonio mercy. Clearly Antonio and ShylockÕs relationship is not on the best of termswhen Antonio comes to Shylock with a request for a loan of 3,000 ducats. Some of these problems become clear to the reader when Shylock statesto the reader: How like a fawning publican he looks!I hate him for he is a Christian,But more for that in low simplicityHe lends out money gratis and brings downthe rate of usance here with us in Venice. This is a very clear case of provocation. Inresponse to this request, Shylock replies:You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog,And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,And all for use of that which is mine own. If I catch him once upon the hip,I will feed the fat that ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,Even there where merchants most do congregate,on me, my bargains, and my well won-thrift. In order to make a reasonable argument on ShylockÕs behalf, a readermust see this exchange as more than the simple collection of a debt.
Common topics in this essay:
IIII124-127 Shylock,
Shylock Antonio,
Antonio Shylock,
Antonio ShylockÕs,
William Shakespeare,
antonio mercy,
provocation antonio,
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Acceptance Essays
