Is Shylock The Villain Or Victim In The Merchant Of Venice...

Character Analysis Shylock Is Shylock the villain or the victim in the Merchant of Venice? In the play the ‘Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare the antagonist Shylock is both the victim and the villain. Shylock is a Jewish moneylender and is initially portrayed as anger filled and bloodthirsty but as the play continues we begin to see him as more human and his emotions become more evident. As the antagonist, Shylock is a fearful adversary to Antonio, the protagonist. But as good begins to win over evil, Shylock is crushed and we see evidence of his mortality in his grief. Shylock changes significantly though out the course of the play and he is formed into a too complex character to be labeled just victim or villain. Shylock is†¦show more content†¦In Act 2 Scene 4 Jessica decides to leave her father and her home to elope with a Christian man Lorenzo. This strengthens the concept of Shylock being a heartless villain because his child feels she must leave without a word of her desires. This shows that Jessica knows that her father would not listen to or consider her feelings for Lorenzo so she must steal and run away from him. On the night she leaves she says with little remorse ‘Farewell; and if my fortune be not crost, I have a father, you a daughter, lost.’ This shows that her childhood was not happy and that she was ‘ashamed to be her father’s daughter’. This is further evidence of Shylocks heartlessness. Shylock is also the victim when Jessica leaves. He loses his only child, that underneath his cold exterior it becomes apparent he loves her and struggles with the depth of his grief. He loses hold on his business and walks through the streets morning the loss of his child to the men he detests. He cries in anguish ‘The curse never fell upon our nation till now; I never felt it till now†¦. My own flesh and blood to rebel! I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood.’ This scene evokes compassion towards Shylock but he is tormented more by Salario and Salanio. This shows him as a repentant father, a man a victim to his child’s will and prejudice surrounding his race. Another factor in Shylocks character that leads to him being perceived as the villain is that he is parsimonious. He will not give orShow MoreRelatedShylock 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? 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