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Shylock Victim or Villian ?????

 
 
Many factors need to be contemplated when determining if Shylock is to be considered a victim or a villain. It is difficult to class Shylock as simply a victim or villain as he is a complex character who can be interpreted in different ways.Anti Semitism was normal in Shakespeare’s era; therefore a Shakespearian audience would have regarded Shylock as a villain. In this period usury was condemned by the Christian religion. this meant he was portrayed unsympathetically. This contrasts with contemporary values, as we would expect a more even handed approach Shakespeare wanted to show Shylock as a villain, in act I scene iii we learn of his usury. It is in this scene, that Bassanio asks to borrow money in Antonio’s name. In the aside we learn of Shylocks intent regarding Antonio’s life “If I can catch him once upon the hip I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. This is hidden under a façade of friendship; he calls the bond “a merry sport”. Antonio regards the ‘pound of flesh’ clause to be a show of friendship: ‘The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind’. Antonio receives the terms of the bond because he is confident he will be able to repay the bond. Shylock feels justified in exacting reven
 
 


Most of the people in the play are Christians. In Act 4 scene 1 Shylock is represented as a villain, he demands his pound of flesh and renders no mercy. In the trial scene Bassanio refers to Shylock as a "man". He warns those who have treated him like a "dog" to "beware my fangs" . we are shown by this he is incapable of forgiveness"The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard, but I will better the instruction" shows Shylock to be a villain. They force him to become Christian take away his property and his land and leave him with nothing. Everyone should have the freedom of beliefThere is no way of knowing how Shakespeare intended Shylock to be portrayed. His repetition of "I'll have my bond" shows he is no longer calm and collected, but shows him to be angry, and hungry for revenge. Some directors show Shylock as a victim, and some object to this idea so show him as a villain. He has power over Antonio's life, because complete faith in the Venetian law must be maintained by the court for Venice to prosper as a trading city. The Duke calls Shylock "an inhuman wretch" even when he is meant to be impartial. The judge is biased towards Antonio and it can be clearly seen he has already passed judgement. The courts have the power to execute him but instead show him mercy. This is the first time in the play he is called a name other than "Jew" or "devil". He insults him and speaks to him in a patronizing way "I am as like to call thee so again".


Some topics in this essay:
Hebrew Christian, Christian Shylock, Christians Venetian, Salerio Solanio, Shakespeare Shylock, Christians Shylock, Anti Semitism, , Shylock Contrasting, shylock villain, trial scene, antonio's life, play words, antonio respect, attitude towards, towards antonio, venetian law, shylock victim, scene bassanio,
 
   
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