Merchant of Venice - of Shylock Shylock was mistreated by Christians in particularly Antonio before they entered into their bond. It is understandable that this would be‚ because Jews were mistreated by the Christians and that’s just the way it was during those times. The Jews were segregated and forced to live in a ghetto and were abused by the Christians. It is know wonder that when Shylock was presented with an opportunity to reciprocate‚ he would. However‚ Shylock also did his fair of mistreatment
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The Character of Shylock in Merchant of Venice Few characters created by Shakespeare embodies pure evil like the character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. Shylock is a usurer and a malevolent‚ blood-thirsty old man consumed with plotting the downfall of his enemies. He is a malignant‚ vengeful character‚ consumed with venomous malice1; a picture of callous‚ unmitigated villainy‚ deaf to every appeal of humanity2. Shylock is the antagonist opposite the naive‚ essentially good Antonio
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Shylock is a man more to be pitied then condemned. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Be sure to refer to details of the play in your response. In the historic play “The Merchant of Venice” written by William Shakespeare‚ Shylock is one of the main characters who I have great pity for. Therefore I agree with the above statement that Shylock should be more pitied than condemned. Throughout the play we see Shylock involved in many different incidences and it is unknown whether he is
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Shylock is “The Merchant of Venice” In William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice‚" there are many themes‚ symbols and words alike which take on a complex and dual nature. Not only can lines in the play be interpreted by the audience in multiple ways‚ they are meant to have multiple meanings. This duality can be seen in the characters as well. Shylock is portrayed as both a victim and a villain and our sense of him evolves as his character is revealed to us as “The Merchant of Venice
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Shylock: Victim or Villain? He is a Jewish moneylender who earns his living by charging interest on money he loans (like modern banks). He often speaks prose in the play‚ which marks him out as an outsider. He is persecuted by all the non-Jews he knows: He tells Antonio‚ "suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe". He is verbally abused and bullied by most characters in the play and is called cruel names including "villain with a smiling cheek‚ cut-throat dog‚ bloody creditor‚ damned inexecrable
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Money and Religion on Antonio and Shylock In The Merchant of Venice money plays a huge role in the lives many of its characters‚ especially the main protagonists Antonio and Shylock. Antonio is shown as the stereotypical generous Christian and Shylock as a stereotypical moneylending Jew‚ being greedy and living in isolation. In the play money is used as a means of exploring the characters of Antonio and Shylock’s religion and inclusion within society. Shylock as a Jewish moneylender‚ is excluded
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the storyline. In Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice‚ Shylock is presented as the most developed character. Shakespeare purposely creates both an antagonist and protagonist in Shylock‚ by creating a change in view for the reader throughout the play. He can be viewed as a hated Jew that is often referred to as a villain‚ a devil‚ and a money obsessed freak‚ but a sudden change of personality tends to always occur. We first see Shylock as a person who chooses everything over money‚ but later we
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Although Shylock is viewed by Christians in the play as a cruel man‚ Shylock is a victim because he is mistreated‚ betrayed and his possessions‚ culture and dignity are taken away from him‚ all because he is a Jew. Shylock is a victim of the play because he is mistreated. Shylock is being abused by Christians but mostly Antonio. Shylock says‚ “You call me misbeliever‚ cut-throat dog‚ / And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine‚ / And all for use of that which is mine own.” (1.3.107-109). Shylock shows through
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interpretation of Shylock oscillates throughout the play. We must also recognize that Shylock has most likely become a villain as a result of being unfairly victimized for having Jewish heritage. During the sixteenth century‚ when the play was written‚ mistreatment towards Jews was common; especially in Venice as it was an anti-sematic city. Jewish people were stereotyped as greedy‚ deceitful individuals who were seen as outcasts in society. The Christian community therefore mistreated Shylock‚ for being
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A Closer Look at Shylock vs. Antonio The play is set in Venice‚ Italy. During this time‚ Venice was full of wealth‚ royal merchants‚ luxuriously dressed people‚ and distinguished culture. An example of this description would be Antonio. Even though the society seemed perfect‚ there was also a downside to them. The play revealed prejudices of a society that practiced the religious persecution of Jews and Christian dignity and the cruel moneymaking and legal side of Venice. In the
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