How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice Essay Example

How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice Paper The Merchant of Venice is a play written by William Shakespeare in the late 16th century. There are many subplots as well as the main storyline, which adds depth to the story and helps to show different sides to the characters. The subplots also make the play appeal to a wider audience. Shylock, a wealthy Jew is one of the main characters. During the play his merciless and uncompassionate nature is revealed. The main storyline is about Bassanios journey to get to his lover Portia, he has to borrow money to travel from the moneylender Shylock and this makes his friend Antonio in trouble. There are many themes that run through the play, such as love, trust, hate, loyalty, family and anti-Semitism. Throughout the play Shakespeare uses language for figurative, poetic and dramatic effect, using soliloquies and other language devices. As the title suggest I will be looking at the moral and philosophical content and how Shylock could be viewed as a victim, villain and a comic character by an Elizabethan audience and how this is today. Shakespeare based Shylock on a Jew called Barubas in Christopher Marlowes play The Jew of Malta. He was a 2D stock villain who had no redeeming features. We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How the character of Shylock is portrayed in The Merchant of Venice specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer He went round poisoning Christians drinking water, this is what Elizabethans would be expecting Shylock to be like. This confirms what Elizabethans thought about Jews, that they are villains. However Shylock is a more rounded character he is a victim as well as a villain. As Shylock is a complex character the audience doesnt know how to feel, sympathy or hate. Shakespeare raises the moral question of how to treat Jews in society. In act 1 we see Shylock meeting with Bassanio to discuss a loan. Act 1 Scene 3 line 103-104 You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine. The audience is shown of Antonios hatred and insults towards Shylock. To an Elizabethan audience it would be humorous to insult Jews. Christians blamed Jews for the death of Jesus. Pontious Pilot (a King) gave the crowd of Jews the choice to crucify Jesus of a thief. The Jewish crowd saved the thief and killed Jesus so Christians feel they are in league with the devil. Christians feel they mus t punish the Jews for it and Christians feel that they must try and convert them to Christianity to save them. However this also portrays Shylock as a victim as it shows the prejudices against him. A modern audience would find this racist, anti-Semitism unacceptable. Shakespeare uses a simile here for figurative effect and to add layers of meaning and show Jews as an inferior species. Antonio also has other reasons to hate Shylock. As Antonio reveals in Act1 Scene 3 Line 86. Was this inserted to make interest good? Antonio is suspicious of Shylock and his religion. Elizabethans at the time thought of Jews as suspicious. Shylock lends money (usury) and charge interest, which Antonio hates. Elizabethans thought it was sinful to charge interest on loans. The bible says Its easier to pass a camel through a needle, than a rich man to go to heaven. This meant Christians were prejudice to moneylenders who charge interest like Shylock. Antonio has friends whose lives have been ruined by Shylocks interest. This also adds to the stereotypical image of Jews, as misers who are renowned for money lending. However this prejudice is not one sided. Act 1 Scene 3 Line 34. I hate him for he is Christian. Shylocks deep grudge is shown in his soliloquy. An Elizabethan Christian audience would think he was a villain wanting revenge. However a modern audience would feel more sympathetic towards Shylock as he has suffered years of torment. A modern audience would more likely side with Shylock unlike an Elizabethan audience. As Shylock finishes talking about Antonio he turns up, this is for dramatic effect. Shylock continues to show how much he hates the Christian religion. Act 2 Scene 5 Lines 14-15. But yet Ill go in hate, to feed upon The prodigal Christian. This shows how Shylocks hatred against Christians has been brewing up through out the play. Shylock is waiting for his chance to get revenge against Antonio and the Christian faith. When Bassanio wants a loan Shylock is given the perfect opportunity for revenge. Act1 scene 3 Line Be nominated for an equal pound, Of your fair flesh, to be cut off Shylock challenges Antonio to have such a forfeit so he could get revenge. Antonio is confident that his ships will come back on time. This further heightens the feeling that Shylock is a villain. Shylock in his soliloquy expresses his feelings about Antonio. Act1 Scene3 Line 38-39. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. Shylock wants revenge for the prejudice that has been against him because of his religion and Job. He has been unfairly treated and wants revenge on Antonio and the Christian religion. Shylock wanting to hurt Antonio and Christians portrays him as a bloodthirsty villain. Shylocks conversation with Tubal reveals his intentions to get his revenge on Antonio. Act 3 scene 1 Line 91-92. I am very glad of it. Ill plague him, Ill torture him. Shylock is being Devious as he is planning to take the pound of flesh from Antonio slowly causing as much pain and suffering as possible. It shows how Shylocks revenge and anger has been building up. Shylocks lust for Christian blood further adds to the mood that he is a villain. When Antonio seals to the bond Shylock says. Act1 Scene 3 Line 153-154 O father Abram, what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect Shylock is celebrating his chance to get revenge. He believes that this is from the Jewish god to get back at Antonio and the Christian religion. An Elizabethan audience would find this comical. Shylock obeys law and order and lives by the law. Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 137-138 Go with me to a notary seal me there Your single bond, Shylock wants to make everything official and legally binding. Shylock does this to try and make sure Antonio cant get out of the deal and the forfeit. However later on in the play Antonio gets out of the forfeit so it could be seen as irony to an Elizabethan audience. Shakespeare continues to show Shylock as obsessed with the law. Act 4 Scene 1 line 202-203. I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond. Shylock is obsessed with the law and lives by it. Shylock believes the law is sacred and that everyone should respect the laws. As he is obsessed with the law it distances the audience from Shylock. However later on the laws hard do him, this creates the feeling that he is a victim. Shylocks daughter Jessica hates him, this adds to the audience idea that he is a villain. Act 3 scene 1 Line 69-70 I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear. Shylock wishes his daughter dead, which is a horrible thing for any father to say which adds to the feeling that Shylock is a villain. Shylock treats Jessica badly so she eloped and takes dowry money. Shylock would not allow Jessica to stay out late but after she eloped she stays out late spending money. Shylock is furious to hear of her spending and this adds to the fact that Shylock is a miser. Shylock wants his jewellery back he gave to her, this adds to the stereotypical image that he is a tight fisted miser. Stopping Jessica going out and having fun shows him as a killjoy. In Elizabethan times there were people trying to close down theatres, this is a link to Elizabethan society. The people watching the play would hate those who were trying to close down the theatres, so they would hate killjoys like Shylock. Shylock has no loving family as they have left him; this further serves to distance the audience from him. Shakespeare continues the theme that Shylock is a miser and tight fisted. Act 2 Scene 5 Line 18. I dream of money bags tonight. Shylock is obsessed by money, he dreams about it and his life revolves around money. On the other hand Shylock refuses the offer of money. Act 4 Scene 1 Line 223 Portia Shylock, theres thrice thy money offered Shylock rejects the offer of more money from Portia, as he is blood thirsty for revenge. Shylock justifies his actions by taki ng the forfeit of his bond. Shylock isnt interested in money he just wants revenge. The Merchant of Venice is like other Shakespeare plays in structure, in that it has five acts and has varied plots which is one of the reasons its such a popular play. The play is set in two cities, Venice and Belmont. Belmont is a fictitious city created by Shakespeare to create a contrast to the hard life in Venice. Its a feminine world where Portia and females are in charge and everyone is peaceful and helpful. Where as Venice is a more masculine city where there are Dukes and Lords who control the laws and there is also lots of violence and hate, this creates a contrast to Belmont. When Portia goes to Venice she has to dress up to be clever and beat Shylock at his own game. This adds to the feeling that Shylock is a villain and highlights the violence of Venice. Shakespeare uses prose and poetic language through the play. Prose is used for the characters of lesser importance whereas important characters, such as lords speak in poetic language. Shylock speaks in a mixture of prose and poetic language this is for poetic effect. When Shylock is a victim he speaks in poetic language. However when he is a villain he speaks in prose. This helps to create a different side to the character and creates dramatic effect in the scene. Shakespeare writes in Iambic pentamiter his play looks like a poem in structure, which is why it is difficult to understand.

Understanding Essay Titles

Understanding Essay Titles Understanding Essay Titles Today, it is rare that you would be given ready made essay titles. Usually what you get is an essay question or a prompt. The main ingredient in a successful essay is understanding what you need to write about. Most essay questions contain four components: aspect, focus, instruction and subject. This formula works both ways, either you get a question which already contains these elements, or you get a paragraph of instructions and you have to come up with an essay title, based on them. Besides your topic, the title should convey the angle of your argument, context and what you need to do. In this post, you will find out about the types of essay titles and what you should do with them. Based on the instructional verb, we can identify 9 types of titles. Analyze You have to process related materials to find key evidence and important factors which influence the outcome. This means that you have to examine each piece of information you find and give the audience facts, instead of assumptions. Example: The Importance of Higher Education Compare and Contrast These two often come in couple, because it is obvious that you will compare two points or elements to find both their similarities and differences. You can also explain the significance of the matching or opposing features you have found. Example: Batman VS Superman: Do Only Gods Have Superpowers? Describe This one is probably the easiest to understand, as you only need to point out the state of things. No opinions or explanations are required. Your essay will be based on one of the five senses: what I see, what I smell, what I hear, what I taste, what I feel Example: A Day In the Life of a Blind Person Discuss If you get a discussion type of essay title, be prepared to choose a side. Identify the points of view on the subject, take one and argue for or against it using facts, examples and opposing views. Example: Photo Realism: Is It Necessary? Evaluate Put on the teachers’ shoes for a day. If you are asked to evaluate something, you will have to analyze the subject matter and identify its usefulness or insignificance. Example: The Issue of Using Electronic Device on the Road Examine Here, you will have to take the subject under a microscope and look into the smallest details. It may be applied to people, events, different phenomena, and other elements. Example: Examine the Methods of Preventing Water Pollution Explain This type of essay title usually begins with a how or a why. It means that the essay will either give instructions or expose an issue and make it clear why something is happening the way it does. Example: Obesity in the USA Justify These topics are usually controversial in the course of a global discussion. You will have to find clear evidence to support the argument, explain why the phenomenon that you are defending has a place to be. Example: Legalizing Abortions for Rape Victims All in all, our service is always available online to provide students with custom essay writing help at a reasonable cost.