Shylock a Villain in appearance, a Victim at heart Essay

In many plays there are two types of characters, good and evil. Then there are those few who could be on either side of the fence. The character could have both good and evil aspects, creating a complex personality. In The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, there is an example of one of those characters. Shylock could be one of the most controversial characters ever created. Some people believe he is a victim, while others say he is a villain. In order to trace this idea we should know why people in the Elizabethan era hates Jews. Rodrigo Lopez was a Jew of Portuguese decent, who fled to England in 1559 where he worked as a physician. His practice grew, and in time he was appointed physician to the Queen of England. But the†¦show more content†¦He says it aside when Antonio comes to him to borrow three hundred ducats. So he hates Antonio for no reason only because he is a Christian. Moreover it may be understood further that Shylock accepts to give the money for Antonio only because he knows that he wont be able to pay it back, therefore he will sue him to satisfy himself. Another quote which shows how Shylock wants to exploit Antonio in order to humiliate him: ?Signior Antonio, many a time and oft?/you have rated me/About my moneys and my usuances:/Still have I borne it with a patient shurg,/For sufferenace is the badge of all our tribe./You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,/And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,/And all for use of that which is mine own. Well then, it now appears you need my help?.? (Shakespeare:I,III,106-114) This quote actually doesnt require explanation. Its very clear even to a blind man. After all what Antonio does to Shylock, he lends him the money. What a kind of man who prefers money on the expense of his dignity. Antonio insults Shylock. He calls him a dog, he spits on him and spurns him. But Shylock give him the ducats. A rational man would not even give him a penny if the other insults him in such way. When Antonio goes to Shylock to ask for money. Shylock makes a contract but it seems strange, if Antonio doesn?t repay the money on time, Shylock will get a pound of his flesh. He says: ?Go with me to aShow MoreRelatedThe Merchant of Venice: Is Shylock a Villain or a Victim? Essay846 Words   |  4 PagesIn this essay I will try to discover is Shylock a villain or a victim, in the William Shakespeare play â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† It is difficult to say if Shylock is a complete villain or a victim, as his character is complex and ambiguous. However, it is difficult to view Shylock as anything other than a devious, bloodthirsty and heartless villain in the majority of the play. There are a few points in the story where he can be viewed as victimised, as most Jews were at that time, but ShakespeareRead MoreShylock: Villain or Victim6154 Words   |  25 PagesShylock: Victim or Villain? 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