Here Shylock insists on the fact that Jews and Christians share a common humanity. He also exposes the hypocrisy of the Christian characters who are always talking about love and mercy but then go out of their way to alienate Shylock because he is Jewish and different. Yet as powerful as this speech is, elsewhere in the play Shylock tends to emphasize the differences between Jews and Christians.
When Bassanio invites him to dinner, Shylock mutters "I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you" 1. Is Shylock just being hateful, or is his disdain justifiable? We know Shylock has been abused in the past he's been trash-talked, spit upon, called a dog, and worse , and it seems like there's not a scene that goes by in which some character isn't hurling anti-Semitic insults.
Even though we can see that Shylock is a victim of bigotry, he often makes it hard for us to pity him entirely.
Shylock is often rude and base in his interactions. He's abrupt with his daughter and mean to his servant, and his house is described as a "hell" on more than one occasion. Plus, he wants Antonio dead and doggedly pursues his "bond" a pound of Antonio's flesh when the Christian merchant is unable to pay back his loan.
Read more about this in "Symbols. Even if critics can't agree on how to interpret Shylock, one thing is certain: the man is an outsider who is alienated from just about everyone — even his own daughter, who can't wait to run away. By the end of the dramatic courtroom scene, Shylock is a broken man — he's humiliated in court, stripped of much of his wealth, and forced to convert to Christianity.
But the character of Shylock has also been the subject of much critical debate: How are we meant to evaluate the attitude of the Venetians in the play toward him? Or his attitude toward them? Is he a bloodthirsty villain? Or is he a man "more sinned against than sinning"? One of the reasons that such questions arise is that there are really two stage Shylocks in the play: first, there is the stage "villain" who is required for the plot; second, there is the human being who suffers the loss of his daughter, his property, and, very importantly for him, his religion.
Shylock's function in this play is to be the obstacle, the man who stands in the way of the love stories; such a man is a traditional figure in romantic comedies. Something or someone must impede young, romantic love; here, it is Shylock and the many and various ways that he is linked to the three sets of lovers. The fact that he is a Jew is, in a sense, accidental. Shakespeare wanted to contrast liberality against selfishness — in terms of money and in terms of love.
We take revenge when done wrong. Shylock previous. I hate him for he is a Christian;. But more for that in low simplicity. He lends out money gratis, and brings down. The rate of usance here with us in Venice. Act 1 Scene 3. I'll have my bond, speak not against my bond;. I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond. Act 3 Scene 3. Read more about this in "Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory.
Even if critics can't agree on how to interpret Shylock, one thing is certain: the man is an outsider who is alienated from just about everyone—even his own daughter, who can't wait to run away. By the end of the dramatic courtroom scene, Shylock is a broken man—he's humiliated in court, stripped of much of his wealth, and forced to convert to Christianity.
How are we supposed to read this? Are we meant to sympathize with Shylock? Are we supposed to think that his forced conversion is a good thing? What do you think?
Parents Home Homeschool College Resources. Study Guide. By William Shakespeare. Previous Next. Shylock Click the character infographic to download. What's Up With the Ending? Tired of ads? Join today and never see them again. Get started.
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