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The Character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice

Although The Merchant of Venice is named after Antonio, not Shylock, the plays widespread

popularity comes from the complex character of Shylock. Reading the play through modern eyes,

Shylock can be seen as both an Elizabethan stereotype and also as afully drawn human being who

deserves a certain degree of compassion and understanding.On one hand he is the stage "villain"

who is required for the plot but on the other hand he is the human being who suffers the loss of hisdaughter, his property, and, very importantly for him, his religion.

Stereotypical Jew and Unpleasant Personality

Shylocks role in the play starts off in an expectedly Elizabethan manner with Shylock exhibiting

every sign of being the money-hungry Jewish usurer that was a common character in Elizabethan

drama. Shylock shows unpleasant and greedy aspects of his character, with asides to the audience

stating that he hated Antonio because Antonio was a Christian -- "but more" he continued, because

he lent money without interest, thus competing with Shylock's business and threatening Shylock's

sole means of supporting himself and his family.

Materialistic Shylock?Throughout the play, Shylock's attitude toward money and human relationships is reveals important

traits of his character. When we hear about Shylock's response to Jessica's elopement, it seems that

he is more worried about the gold Jessica stole than the fact that his daughter is gone. Solanio tells

us that Shylock screamed "'My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! / Fled with a Christian! O my

Christian ducats!"(2.8.2). This apparently sounds like Shylock is more concerned about his money

than his daughter.

But, later, Shylock's response to the news that Jessica traded an important family heirloom shows

that the turquoise ring Jessica discarded is important to Shylock because it was a gift from his dead

wife, not because it is worth a lot of money. So here, we can see that Shylock isnot exactly the

money-hungry villain he is made out to be.

Shylock's Opinions on Jews and Christians

Shylock's pained response to Jessicas actions reveals that he is deeply human, a point that he makes

at a pivotal moment in the play, when Salerio and Solanio taunt him with Jessica's elopement:

Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands,

Here Shylock insists on the fact that Jews and Christians share a common humanity. He also exposes

the hypocrisy of the Christian characters who are always talking about love and mercy but then go

out of their way to alienate Shylock because he is Jewish and different.

Yet as powerful as this speech is, elsewhere in the play Shylock tends to emphasize the differencesbetween Jews and Christians. When Bassanio invites him to dinner, Shylock emphasises his separate

faith and states that though he interacts with Bassanio in business dealingshe would never eat or

drink with him ("I will buy with you, sell with you, .).

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Thirst for Revenge

Shylocks intense thirst for revenge is repeatedly demonstrated throughout they play. But this

vengefulness is best expressed through his response to a query made by one of Antonio's friends,

who asks him what his pound of forfeit flesh is good for. Shylocks response is To bait fish withal; if

it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.

Intelligent and Articulate

Throughout the play, Shylock shows keenness of observation, a memory for details, and a strong

amount of energy. He is well versed in the Bible and is able to draw analogies from various Biblical

sources and stories to strengthen his own arguments against his opponents. His speech reveals a

practical and agile thought process, which helps him in his business dealings.

Conclusion:

Shylock is drawn in bold strokes; he is meant to be a "villain" in terms of the romantic comedy, but

because of the multi-dimensionality which Shakespeare gives him, we are forced to sympathize with

him at times, loathe him at others. Shakespeare's manipulation of our emotions regarding Shylock isa testament to his genius as a creator of character.