Essay on Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of...

Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice, a tragic- comedy written in the late 16th century by the greatest known English author, William Shakespeare. This is a tale set in the heart of Venice, amongst the Venetian Christians and Jews. The history of the Jews is marked by terrible hardship and atrocities; Jewish people kept up their customs and religion formed tight knit communities and became known for their intelligent hard work and business expertise. These qualities sometimes led to them being mistrusted and resented in the community of Venice in those times. This was especially the case in Christian countries, where there were strong anti- Semitic†¦show more content†¦In relationship to the Merchant of Venice and Shylock’s character, is another partially similar play otherwise known as the ‘Jew of Malta.’ Written by Christopher Marlowe, (produced in the 1590 and published in 1633) it is a play filled with blood and murder, also favourite topics of the Elizabethan audi ence, who embraced the bloody revenge tragedies. The image of the Jew ‘Barabas’ in the play is a greedy usurer, who would rather be a hated, envied and ill-treated Jew than a poor Christian. This was a common image to be portrayed in the English theatre of a Jewish person. The play starts with, Bassanio, a Venetian nobleman who seems to have financial difficulties; however he wishes to compete for the hand of Portia, a wealthy heiress of Belmont, in order to restore his fortune. He asks his best friend Antonio, a successful merchant of Venice, to loan him the money necessary to undertake such an attempt. Antonio agrees, but, as all of his assets are tied up at sea, he has to use his credit in order to obtain the money for his friend. They both go to Shylock, who is a rich Jewish moneylender but also an enemy of Antonio’s. Shylock agrees to lend them 3000 ducats, but only if Antonio will sign a bond that says if Antonio isn’t ableShow MoreRelatedShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1401 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The play begins in Venice where the wealthy merchant Antonio is talking to his young friends about the reasons for the depression. Antonio claims not to understand himself his sad nature. Bassanio arrives with the news that he wishes to court a wealthy, beautiful heiress named Portia. In order to present himself to Portia he wants to borrow 3000 ducats. Bassanio is in terrible debt and he sees marriage to PortiaRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1694 Words   |  7 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Introduction One of the most interesting and dramatic characters in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is the rich, despised money-lending Jew Shylock. It is impossible to judge Shylock’s character by our own modern Standards, simple because Shakespeare wrote this play for play goers in Elizabethan times. This was very different to modern times for two reasons. Firstly, people watching the play would not find itRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1385 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Through time there have been many successful individuals in literature writers, poets, and play writers. But many would argue that one individuals work and character has stood out from the rest and this special illustrious person being William Shakespeare. In the many dramatic pieces of theatrical production written and the diverse individuality he ahs been able to write about many characters created through greatRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay1128 Words   |  5 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice I am a Jew a famous saying from Shylock in Merchant of Venice that clarifies the merchant brotherhood of a wealthy city. Merchant of Venice contains rascals and heroes. The audiences will soon realise that Shylock, the Jewish money lender, is shown as a villain within the wealthy city. Is this really what Shakespeare had intended? This testimony given proposes that Shylock is more of a deceitful character Read MoreEssay Shylock of William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice781 Words   |  4 PagesShylock of William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Shylock is one of the main characters in Shakespeares play The Merchant of Venice, he starts in the play as an outcast of society because he is Jewish. Shylock has been forced to become a banker in his life as an inhabitant of Venice, for the fact that his religion is seen as wrong. Although Shylock is forced to become a banker he plays a vital role in the city of Venice, without Shylock the city would struggleRead MoreCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1893 Words   |  8 PagesCharacterizing Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The ‘Merchant of Venice’ was written at a time when there was great prejudice towards the Jewish race. They were known for their intelligence, hard work and business acumen, which later led them to be mistreated and resented. They were made to wear distinctive clothing in order to be identified, and citizens of Venice could treat Jews in any way they wished. The Christian church also taught that JewsRead MoreShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Essay1158 Words   |  5 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice A key feature of the play The Merchant Of Venice is the issue of whether Shylock is a victim or a villain. This issue is raised at many crucial points most of which can be separated into the categories victim or villain. Act 1 Scene 3 displays Shylock as a sensible business man. This is our first introduction of Shylock and therefore produces our first impressions. The first point where Shylocks character isRead MoreEssay Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice2094 Words   |  9 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice By the end of Act 4 scene 1, my view of Shylock is a man who wishes to get revenge at society by trying to take the flesh of a Venetian merchant because of the prejudices that are thrown at him. Shylock is a rich Jewish moneylender and a widow whose daughter has eloped with a Christian, Lancelot. Shylock is treated with the lowest kind of integrity and respect in Venice this was normal for Jews in the VictorianRead MoreSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1596 Words   |  7 PagesSympathizing with Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In the Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare creates an atmosphere throughout the play, which causes the audience to sympathize with Shylock. Shakespeare uses key events, and dialogue to influence the audience. At the time Shakespeare wrote his plays, and they were performed, the contemporary audience would have mainly consisted of Christians. Jews were often persecuted, as they were the minority.Read MoreShylock as the Villain in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1948 Words   |  8 PagesShylock as the Villain in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice in about 1597. It was first performed by The Chamberlains Men at the Theatre Shoreditch. The Merchant of Venice was in the repertory of Shakespeares company before they took up residence at the Globe in 1599. The play was written as a comedy, but has become a serious drama. In order to answer the question it is vital to look at the pervading