Is Shylock a victim or a villain free essay?

Is Shylock a victim or a villain free essay?

Just because Shylock has acted on revenge as most of us do, it doesnt make him a villain. He is simply just a victim to human emotions. After so much suffering, Shylock took Antonio to court so that he could get his part of the bond.

Is Shylock the villain or the victim?

At the end of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock has been both a victim and a villain. He is a victim of his religion, and a victim of his greed and overwhelming need for revenge.

How is Shylock presented as a victim?

Shylock is a victim of harassment by the Christians, a victim of betrayal by his own daughter, and a victim of prejudice because he had to give up his religion due to wanting Antonio’s flesh. Antonio insults Shylock verbally by calling him names, like a cutthroat dog, and by spitting on his Jewish gabardine.

Was Shylock’s end justified?

He is a wealthy, moneylending Jew who practices usury. He’s revenge is justified for many reasons, these reasons include him being abused for being a Jew and a moneylender at the same time. Shylock was a victim of an unjust trial which leaves Shylock’s will to live demolished as he is bloodthirsty for revenge.

How is Shylock presented as a villain?

In many ways he certainly seems to be the antagonist of the story: one of his primary functions is as the obstacle standing between Portia and Bassanio’s wedded bliss. He is described by other characters as obsessed with money, and a cruel father to his daughter, Jessica.

Is Shylock a victim or a villain of circumstances write your opinion in 400 words?

Shylock is a combination of both victim and villain in The Merchant of Venice. He is a victim of discrimination and mistreated by Antonio and his daughter, Jessica. Shylock’s greedy, vengeful nature is what makes him a villain, which helps drive the plot of the play.

What did Shylock do wrong?

In the end – due to the efforts of Antonio’s well-wisher, Portia – Shylock is charged with attempted murder of a Christian, carrying a possible death penalty, and Antonio is freed without punishment. Shylock is then ordered to surrender half of his wealth and property to the state and the other half to Antonio.

Does Shylock really better the instruction?

Answer: Shylock certainly tries to better the instruction. He certainly tries to cause the death of Antonio who is a Christian, while the Christian Antonio had limited his cruelty towards the Jew only to the extent of disgracing him and ridiculing him, thwarting his bargains, and otherwise harassing him.

What is the purpose of Shylock’s speech?

In Act III, Scene I, Shylock’s speech provides an understanding to what fuels his revenge and why he is in his every right for revenge. Though, his revenge for Antonio can be considered Page 2 2 unmercifully and unsympathetic. Shylock is a character who has lost and suffered by the actions of others.

Why does Shylock hate Antonio essay?

Shylock specifically states that he hates Antonio, because Antonio is a Christian man. Antonio also lends out money at times, and he doesn’t charge any interest. Shylock hates Antonio because he is a business rival that is massively undercutting his business.

Is Shylock a villain or a victim or a combination of both Discuss in 500 words?

Is Shylock a villain or a hero?

ince the first staging of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the character of Shylock was depicted as the play’s antagonist, or villain. However, in the 400 years since the play’s conception, increasingly critical scrutiny and modern thought have focused on this character.

How is Shylock portrayed as a victim and a villain?

In the Merchant of Venice Shylock is portrayed as both a victim and a villain. Shakespeare shows that he is firstly a villain as he is spoken about in a conversation between Salarnio and Salerio. They describe him as “dog Jew,” automatically we see him as the bad man of the play.

What is the main theme of the play Shylock?

The themes of the play are revenge, mercy, and justice. Shylock, with Antonio is the major character in the play, at times referred to as a villain and sometimes a victim. The dictionary defines a villain as “a cruelly malicious person” and a victim as “a person who is deceived or cheated”.

Why was Shylock written to be hated?

Shylock was written to be hated! As a result the audience and characters were prejudice towards Shylock as he tells us in Act 1 Scene 3 Signor Antonio, many a time.. thus much moneys? You could say he was a victim of societys discrimination and bigotry.

What does Shylock mean by I will better the instruction?

Shylock is adamant “I will better the instruction,” meaning he will not change his mind in the taking of the flesh unless something seriously prevents him, and will do more than what the Christians have taught him. During the court scene Shylock refuses to show any sign of mercy towards Antonio.