Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice...

Shylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Written sometime between 1596 and 1598,by Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice is classified as both an early Shakespearean comedy and as one of the Bards problem plays; it is a work in which good triumphs over evil, but serious themes are looked at and some issues remain unresolved. The play is about Antonio, a Venetian merchant, who complains to his friends that he feels a sadness which he cannot explain. His friend Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court Portia, a wealthy young woman who lives in the city of Belmont. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan in order to travel in style to Portia’s estate. Antonio agrees, but is†¦show more content†¦That night, Jessica escapes with Lorenzo by dressing as his page. After a night of celebration, Bassanio and his friend Graziano leave for Belmont, where Bassanio intends to win Portia’s hand. The climax of the play occurs in act four, scene one where Shylock brings Antonio to court to exact his revenge on the Christian and receive his bond. At this time in Venice Jews were extremely prejudiced against so this kind of treatment towards Shylock would have been seen as acceptable. The Merchant of Venice has been labelled an anti-Semitic play by some, but this is not the only way to look at it. The character of Shylock seems, outwardly, to be the villain of the play. He sets up a plan to exact a pound of flesh from Antonio, who, outwardly, seems like a good Christian. The story, however, is much deeper than this. Shakespeare gives reasons for Shylock’s actions- if they are acts of hatred, it is not unfounded hatred. Instead, it is clear that the Antonio has given Shylock ample reason to seek revenge. Further, many of the Christian characters exhibit the same behaviours which they persecute Shylock for. Upon looking at Shylock’s motives and the actions of the Christians in the play, it is not Shylock’s Jewishness which is being criticised, but the hypocrisy shownShow MoreRelatedShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1401 Words   |  6 PagesShylock in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The play begins in Venice where the wealthy merchant Antonio is talking to his young friends about the reasons for the depression. Antonio claims not to understand himself his sad nature. Bassanio arrives with the news that he wishes to court a wealthy, beautiful heiress named Portia. In order to present himself to Portia he wants to borrow 3000 ducats. 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