Perspectives on Shylock from Shakespeares Merchant of Venice Essay

usurer is a character famously know as organism the antagonist of Shakespeares play merchant of Venice. In this play, Shakespeare portrayal of Shylock the moneylender is one of anti-Semitic stereotype. Shylock is represent as a typical bloodthirsty Jew who delays a life malarky of any depth or meaning. His sole purpose for living seems to be to amass wealth and vengeance as seen from his adamant claim for his get of flesh. Despite Shakespeares attempts to humansize Shylock at points in the story, it appears that his primary focus is to steer the audience against Shylock, painting him as being a cruel, bitter and inaffable figure. It is clear that in both Shakespeares merchant of Venice and Grace Tiffanys Turquoise Ring, Shylock exposes his dark side of disgust and contempt. However, by providing keen insight into Shylocks personal life prior to the events of the philander case, Grace Tiffany adds a complexity and depth to Shylock, which allows the reader to sympathize and g eneralize what compelled him to be the man he was.The novel begins by describing Shylocks kind with his wife Leah and the events leading up to there subsequent marriage. In so doing, it shows an aspect of Shylock non seen in the merchant of Venice. It reveals Shylocks sensory faculty of kindness and sensitivity through his romance with Leah. Never in this trial by ordeal is Shylock portrayed in a negative light. This point is better(p) illustrated in the incident where Shylock returns from being interrogated by two manpower from the Christian brotherhood. Although Shylock tells his wife the events which transpired, seeing that his wife was already in a fragile state of shock, he refrains from mentioning the harsh details of their threats, as it says he said nothing to Leah of the c... ...esses the fact that he recognizes that not all Christians are inherently evil as he says good gentiles live. As well, he obviously had the generosity to lend Bassanio money in the first place , despite the apparent risk of nonpayment which proves that he could not have hated them. Shylock even states that he has no in truth intentions of enforcing his bond. It is scarce because of the way Antonio persecutes him both verbally and physically, which evokes past memories of Christians abuse, that his tolerance is pushed to the check so that he is forced to act the way he does. Shylock is generally a kind, caring, and sensitive person as seen through his relationship with his wife. His ability to mask his anger was the means by which he thrived. It is only through cumulative stress that he explodes, a common human flaw which is understandable and somewhat pardonable.