"Shylock is one of Shakespeare's (and English Literature's) most celebrated villains."
"However, despite his villainous qualities, he also wins some sympathy from the audience (especially a modern audience) because of the harsh treatment he receives at the hands of the other characters."
" "
"There is no doubt that Shylock is cunning. He proposes the bond as"
"* ...a merry sport. (I,3)"
"but it is clear he hopes Antonio will be unable to pay."
"He is also cruel and stubbornly so, pressing ahead with his plan to take the pound of flesh even when it would be to his advantage to take the money instead."
6
"Shylock is also shown to be repressive towards his daughter, ordering her to keep indoors and not to watch the masque."
"However, this can also be seen as a sign of his love for her, and he does entrust her with the keys of the house."
" "
"More villainous perhaps, is his reaction when she betrays him by running off with his jewels and his money with her Christian lover, Lorenzo."
"Shylock is obviously more concerned for his wealth than his daughter, as shown by his cry:"
"*I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear. (III,1)"
6
"However, Shakespeare is too fine a playwright to paint Shylock entirely black."
"He wins some sympathy from us when we realise that his hatred for Antonio is not without cause - Antonio has treated him as if he were an animal."
" "
"He has one magnificent speech in which he outlines the prejudice of Antonio and the other Venetians and makes an appeal for Jews to be treated more decently."
"*If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?... (III,1)"
"And he rightly points out that, in seeking revenge, he is only following Christian example."
7
"Shylock is also obviously intelligent, and his wit is obvious in the Trial scene where both Gratiano and Bassanio are defeated in verbal battles."
" "
"As the play moves on though, Shylock's greed and viciousness are emphasised. In the court he is shown as an inhuman monster who delights in the fear he creates by sharpening his knife on his shoe."
"This portrayal is well-managed by Shakespeare so that Shylock's total downfall does not seem too cruel."
"He leaves the court a broken man, devastated by being deprived of both his wealth and his religion."
" "
"Once more we feel pity as he stumbles out of the courtroom."
9
"*QUOTES"
"*Shylock about himself"
"I would be friends with you and have your love,"
"Forget the shames that you have stained me with (I,3)"
" "
"If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"
" "
".... a lodged hate and a certain loathing"
"I bear Antonio (IV,1)"
12
"*QUOTES (Cont.)"
"*Bassanio about Shylock"
"I like not fair terms and a villain's mind. (I,3)"
" "
"...this cruel devil"
" "
"*Antonio about Shylock"
"The devil can cite scripture for his purpose (I,3)"
" "
"You may as well do anything most hard"
"As seek to soften that - than which what's harder? -"
"His Jewish heart. (IV,1)"
14
"*QUOTES"
"*Launcelot about Shylock"
"Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation; (II,2)"
