The Merchant of Venice Cover Image

The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

Start Free Trial

Shylock

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Extended Character Analysis

In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock is a wealthy Jewish moneylender from Venice and Jessica's father. He lends Antonio and Bassanio the 3,000 ducats that Bassanio needs to pursue Portia. However, Shylock stipulates that if Antonio defaults on the loan, he will owe Shylock a pound of his flesh. This contract spurs the central plot of the play. When Antonio defaults on the loan, Shylock attempts to extract his pound of flesh. However, thanks to Portia’s intervention, Antonio is saved and Shylock is forced to relinquish half of his fortune. He is also forced to convert to Christianity. Shylock is left humiliated after being robbed of his money, his faith, and his dignity. Shylock is one of William Shakespeare’s most controversial characters, because he is undeniably based on anti-Semitic stereotypes. However, he is also an eloquent speaker with genuine motivations for his actions.

Central to Shylock’s character is the historical role of Jewish people in 17th-century Europe. Jews were expelled from Britain in 1290 CE, so Shakespeare’s Elizabethan audience would likely never have encountered an openly Jewish person. In 17th-century Venice, moneylending was one of the few professions available to Jewish people. Christians viewed charging interest as sinful and giving out interest-free loans is unprofitable. So, once Jewish people filled this financial niche and made profitable loans, Christians began to characterize them as materialistic and greedy. This view is frequently espoused by Antonio, who also undermines Shylock’s business by giving interest-free loans. These harmful stereotypes further fueled the already rampant discrimination against Jewish people.

Shylock’s character and historical context are complex. Though the play casts him as the villain, he can also be interpreted in terms of different roles. By reading Shylock as a straightforward villain, he becomes an anti-Semitic caricature. That he charges interest on his loans at all would have already made him immoral in the eyes of most Elizabethan Christians. On top of that, however, Shylock is shown to be materialistic, a negative stereotype that Elizabethans wrongly associated with Jews. After Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, elopes and steals a chest full of ducats and expensive items, Shylock seems more concerned with the loss of his money than with his daughter. He goes so far as to wish she were dead at his feet if it meant that his ducats were decorating her corpse.

Shylock is also frequently associated with the “devil.” Both Jessica and Launcelot compare Shylock’s house to “hell.” For Shakespeare’s predominantly Christian audience, the association of a Jewish character with the devil would have been a familiar trope. Furthermore, Shylock’s antagonistic pursuit of revenge against the martyr-like Antonio evokes the persecution of Jesus Christ. By this reading, Shylock’s refusal to show Antonio mercy is indicative of his lack of Christian grace. By this deeply anti-Semitic reading, the Christian characters attempt to save Shylock’s soul by forcing him to convert to Christianity.

However, despite being the antagonist of the play, Shylock can also be read in a more sympathetic light. He is given opportunities to speak eloquently about the abuse he has experienced at the hands of the Christian characters. In his “hath not a jew eyes?” speech in act III, scene I, Shylock argues that Jewish people deserve respect since they are just as human as Christians. Though the revenge he plots against Antonio is cruel and gruesome, it is not entirely unjustified. Even Antonio acknowledges that he has frequently abused Shylock and undermined his business.

In 16th-century Venice, Jewish people had few economic opportunities. As Shylock claims at the end of the trial, taking away his wealth is akin to killing him. So, even if Shylock is sometimes materially fixated, it is not without reason. However, his alleged greed is subverted on several occasions, such as when he finds out that Jessica sold the turquoise ring. Rather than lamenting its loss in terms of monetary value, he reflects on the sentimental value it held: it was a gift from his late wife, Leah. This lament humanizes Shylock and implies that he and Leah had a loving relationship. Shylock’s caring about more than material wealth is also evident when he turns down the 6,000 ducats Bassanio offers him during the trial. If Shylock only desired money, so many ducats would have been a welcome profit. However, his refusal to accept anything other than his pound of flesh suggests that Shylock is operating on principle and emotion.

Shylock’s principles are perspicuous in his speeches. He frequently cites scripture and, more so than any of the Christians, adheres to his faith. Shylock is incredulous after hearing Bassanio and Gratiano claim that they would sacrifice their wives for Antonio. This reaction, combined with his anguish over Jessica’s selling of Leah’s ring, suggests that he was a loving and honorable husband. Shylock also refuses to eat with the Christians since his faith bars him from eating unkosher foods. The Christians use their faith to assert superiority over others. Shylock adheres to his religious principles in spite of adversity. This makes his forced conversion all the more obscene, as a conversion without conviction is meaningless. Though superficially “merciful,” the Christians actually rob Shylock of the foundation of his morality and identity.

Of additional note is that Shylock fits the tragic hero archetype. He begins the play as a wealthy and prominent moneylender who is secure in his faith. However, after years of suffering abuses from Christians, his thoughts turn to revenge, thereby setting his downfall into motion. In his fervor to see Antonio answer for his abuse, Shylock becomes cruel and single-minded. As a result, he loses everything: his wealth, his dignity, and his faith. Shylock leaves the court a defeated man, humbled by both injustice and his own misguided pursuit of revenge.

The controversies surrounding Shylock have no simple resolution. His views on human nature are profound and eloquent. His motivations are based on rectifying the injustice inflicted on his people by Christians. He is principled and adheres to his faith despite the social repercussions. However, he also embodies harmful anti-Semitic stereotypes, and his defeat in the trial is treated as a triumph for the Christian protagonists. Ultimately, to discredit either reading is to miss what makes Shylock fascinating: he represents a deeply flawed portrayal of a very human character.

Expert Q&A

What was Shylock's response to Portia's plea for mercy?

Shylock responds to Portia's plea for mercy by insisting on the justice of his cause and the strict fulfillment of his contract with Antonio. He refuses to show mercy, emphasizing his legal right over compassion. This obstinacy highlights his malevolent nature and aligns with the period's prejudiced view of Jewish legalism. Despite offers to pay more, Shylock remains unyielding, until Portia's strict interpretation of the contract saves Antonio.

What is the ultimate punishment given to Shylock in The Merchant of Venice?

Shylock's ultimate punishment in The Merchant of Venice is severe. After failing to claim a pound of Antonio's flesh, he is forced by Portia's legal maneuvering to forfeit half his wealth to Antonio and the other half to the state. Additionally, Antonio insists Shylock convert to Christianity and leave his estate to his daughter Jessica and her Christian husband, Lorenzo, which devastates him, stripping him of his wealth, faith, and identity.

Why is Shylock glad when Launcelot leaves to work for Bassanio in Act 2?

Shylock is glad when Launcelot leaves to work for Bassanio because it alleviates the burden of having to feed and pay him. Launcelot complains about being poorly treated and underfed by Shylock, so Shylock's recommendation to Bassanio might be a way to rid himself of an unwanted servant. This decision helps Shylock save money, despite potentially losing a capable servant, revealing a practical motivation behind his actions.

In Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice, why is Shylock considered a stony adversary?

Shylock is considered a "stony adversary" in Act 4 due to his unwavering determination to collect his bond from Antonio, despite pleas for mercy. The Duke of Venice describes Shylock as hard-hearted and devoid of pity, emphasizing his ruthless nature. Shylock refuses offers to double the bond's amount and ignores appeals from the Duke and Bassanio. His lack of mercy forces Portia to cleverly interpret the law to save Antonio.

In The Merchant of Venice, what is Shylock's opinion of Launcelot Gobbo as an employee?

Shylock's opinion of Launcelot Gobbo as an employee is not explicitly detailed in the text, but Launcelot describes Shylock as "the very devil incarnation," indicating his dissatisfaction. Launcelot claims he was mistreated and "famished" in Shylock's service, although he is prone to exaggeration. Shylock's treatment of Launcelot can be interpreted as either harsh or typical, influenced by Launcelot's anti-Semitic views. This ambiguity allows for varied portrayals of Shylock's character.

In Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice, what does Shylock’s attitude toward music reveal about him?

Shylock's attitude toward music in Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice reveals his fear and disdain for it, reflecting his joyless and cautious nature. He describes music as "vile" and "shallow fopp'ry," associating it with foolishness and Christian festivals that make him uneasy. This attitude highlights his alienation from Christian society and suggests a life focused on practicality and survival, contrasting with the lyrical and romantic world of Belmont.

What does Shylock refuse to do with a Christian in The Merchant of Venice?

Shylock refuses to eat or drink with Christians in "The Merchant of Venice." Although he will conduct business with them, he avoids socializing due to both his disdain for them and religious dietary restrictions. As a Jew, Shylock cannot consume non-kosher food, such as pork, which Christians favor. Moreover, Christians treat him poorly because of his faith, reinforcing his reluctance to engage in any social activities with them.

Based on Christians' treatment, is Shylock wrong to take revenge? Would Antonio demand bond fulfillment if positions were reversed?

No, based on how Christians have treated Shylock, it is not wrong for him to take revenge. It is certainly justified. Antonio has publicly ridiculed and physically assaulted Shylock on numerous occasions. He has also purposely undermined Shylock's business practices and unapologetically expresses his hatred towards him. Given Antonio's previous treatment of Shylock, one could argue that he would demand fulfillment of the bond according to the set terms if he was in a similar position.

What is the meaning of Shylock's defense of his Jewish humanity in The Merchant of Venice?

Shylock's defense of his Jewish humanity in "The Merchant of Venice" highlights the discrimination he faces and justifies his desire for revenge. He argues that Jews share the same human traits as Christians, yet are wronged simply for being Jewish. While this part of his speech promotes anti-racism, it transitions into a justification for revenge, suggesting that if wronged, Jews should retaliate like Christians do. Thus, it defends his humanity while also promoting vengeance.

What appeals to you about Shylock's speech in The Merchant of Venice and how might it be performed?

Shylock's speech, "Hath not a Jew eyes?" from Act 3, Scene 1, is compelling because it exposes the anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice and challenges the hypocrisy of Christian characters like Antonio. Shylock questions his dehumanization and highlights his shared humanity with Christians, shifting his portrayal from villain to victim. A performance of this speech should convey a mix of hatred, outrage, and sadness, reflecting Shylock's complex emotional state.

Show another question (34 questions hidden)

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

Portia

Next

Jessica

Loading...