Shylock, a Villain?
Merchant of Venice is tragic comedy which probably takes time in 15th century due to when Shakespeare, the author - was alive. The play is about Bassanio who needs to loan money from his friend Antonio to propose to Portia. Unfortunately Antonia has all his wealth invested in ships at sea and most therefore borrow money from a moneylender called Shylock. At the time Christians could not take interest in lending, whereas Shylock is a Jew and therefore has the opportunity to lend. Instead of taking interest Shylock agrees upon taking a pound of flesh instead - if not the sum it not paid back within three months. It is central to mention that at the time the Jews were treated poorly by the Christians, and thus Shylock is lending the money to Antonio and keeping his promise he ends up being the “bad guy” in the play. But is Shylock really a villain?
Shylock is treated very badly by the Christians throughout the play because he is a Jew. Antonio despises Shylock for being a Jew, instead of referring to his name - Shylock is called a dog, the devil or the villain Jew. The Christians kick Shylock, spits on him and mock him for no other reason than that he is a Jew. Shylock hates Antonio for this, including that Antonio lend money for free which is bad for Shylock’s business. When Antonio ask for a loan Shylock ask answer this:“ Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last; You spurned me such a day; another time You called me dog; and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys’?( Act IV, Scene III). Antonio answers this: “I am as like to call thee so again, To spit on thee again, to spurn thee, too. If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not As to thy friends… But lend it rather to thine enemy. Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty.” (Act IV, Scene III). It really obvious that Antonio manipulate Shylock to keep hating him, he also plant the idea that Shylock could give another penalty than increasing the sum if Antonio do not pay back. Therefore they agree upon a pound of flesh if money is not paid back within three months. It really seems like this was the deal Antonio was aiming for, not Shylock – but Shylock sees his opportunity to seek revenge for Antonio actions and free money lending.
Everything in this play go the bad way for Shylock. What Shylock have the closest, this daughter Jessica, she leaves him to marry Lorenzo – a Christian. But to do so she must convert to Christianity which she obviously does. That is not all of it either, she steals from her father before she leaves him. When Shylock finds out he is absolutely devastated. It is understandable to see that this would increase Shylock’s hate towards the Christians. When the only thing he has left is taken by the Christians as well, a revenge is certainly accepted.
“If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, Revenge.”- Shylock (Act III, scene I). However suddenly a chance for revenge comes, Antonio ships was ruined in a storm, consequently Antonio do not manage to pay Shylock back within the agreed time.
The climax in the play takes place in the court where Shylock is requiring the pound of flesh. Shylock refuses a larger sum from Bassanio, he is then begged to be merciful and drop the charge, yet again refuses - Shylock had come for his revenge against Antonio. Somehow the lawyer manage to find a loophole in the contract, and says that he cannot spill one drop of blood, then he would break the law. Shylock then gives up his revenge and agrees to take the larger sum that was offered. But the lawyer seems to have other plans; they accuse Shylock for trying to take someone life – and he is ironically therefore possibly sentenced to death. The Duke, the judge at the court, show “kindness and forgiveness” and the punishment is therefore that Shylock have to convert to Christianity, and give half of his wealth to Jessica and the other to the state of Venice.
To conclude, is Shylock really a villain? To be called a dog or the devil – to be spurned and spited at just because he is a Jew, I think those actions certainly do something to a person. You either give up, convert to Christianity, or fight with all your worth against them – which Shylock apparently does. This battle, Shylock versus the Christians ends badly for him. He is manipulated to make a deal where Antonio’s potential punishment is based on his actions, which is death. Then his daughter leaves him for a Christian guy and even robs him, and he is left alone. At the end he is really pushed up in a corner, whereas he gets the opportunity to finally take revenge for the actions the Christians stood responsible for. But somehow the Christian find a ridiculous way to turn it around, they take Shylocks soul, his religion, away from him – including his wealth. The reason someone could look upon Shylock as a villain is due that the story has a Christian perspective, if you looked at the story with a Jewish perspective instead Antonio would have been the villain; for being a racist, a bully and untrustworthy guy. So the answer is Shylock is not a villain, his action is a result of the way he has been treated.