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Shylock is an extremely complex character in the book, and his personality is a reflection of that. Shakespeare impresses upon the reader a few key traits; Shylock is portrayed as vengeful, greedy and an overall despicable man. Shylock's vengefulness is evidenced by his unwillingless to accept as repayment for the bond anything less that a pound of Antionio's flesh, and when offered to take twice the original sum as payment, he states that "There is no power in the tounge of man to alter me. I stay here on my bond" (Act IV, scene 1, lines 241-242). Shylock is also portrayed a greedy, saying of Antionio "I hate him because he is a Christian, but more, for that in low simplicity he lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice. (Act I, scene 3, lines 42-44). This quote demonstrates both his greed for money and the despicable personality that the Christian characters see in Shylock. While Shapespeare does unboubtly charecterize Shylock as evil, he also provdes instances where this evil is explained. Act III, scene 1 is a good example; Shylock is quoted saying "I'll plauge him; I'll torture him." (Act III, scene 1, lines 116-17) when describing Antionio, but the reader also learns that his daughter has left and is spending his money, and is meant to feel some sympathy for Shylock's misfortunes. This deliberate writing by Shakespear adds to the overall characterization of Shylock; that he is a greedy and evil man, but that his character is still a human, and feels just as the others do.

The main conflict of The Merchant of Venice arises from an agrement between Bassanio and Shylock; Shylock agrees to lend money to Bassanio but adds that the "Forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken from in what part of your body pleasth me" (Act I, scene 3, lines 147-150). This flesh is to be taken from Antionio, who puts up the bond with the knowledge that his ships will come in and make him enough money to repay it. However, this plot takes a twist when Antionio's ships sink and Bassianio cannot make the money in time, meaning that the bond forfiets and Antionio owes Shylock a pound of his flesh. This conflict is taken to court, where the actions of Portia in finding a legal loophole eliminate the debt and disgrace Shylock. This plot is a reflection of Shylock's character; Shakespeare portrays the play through the eyes of the Christian merchants and ther friends, which holds Shylock as evil and unequal to the Christians. Additionally, this conflict spurs change in Shylock, as he takes the oppertunity to exact revenge and tries his hardest to see it through.

From the beginning of the play to the end, Shylock's personality changes. The events that make up the conflict of the play cause Shylock to grow more and more bitter. Before she leaves him, Shylock describes Jessica as "Jessica my girl," (Act II, secne 5, line 15) and tells her to lock the house. Shylock cares for Jessica, and while he can be controlling, he does love her. After he leaves her, his anger and resenment both at her and at those who helped her to leave makes him angry and bitter. He later says of Jessica leaving "She is damned for it" (Act III, scene 1, line 31). At every turn in the play Shyolck faces adversity, from the abuse at the hands of Bassanio and Antionio, to the loss of his servant Lanceot and Jessica, to the eventual loss he would face in court. All of these things turn an angry and indignant man into a resigned one. Upon leaving the courthouse with his penalty, he remarks of himself "I am not well" (Act IV, scene 1, line 395), indicating to the reader that he is a broken man. It could also be said of Shylock that he learned from the court experience mercy. From the eyes of the Christians, the mercy showed to Shylock by the Duke and Portia was very generous, considering Shylock's lack of mercy earlier in demanding Antionio's flesh. Overall, however, Shylock started the play as an indingnant and angry man, and ended the play as a broken one, showing little growth but much change.

Character Analysis: Shylock

Growth and Development

Shylock

Role

Shylock is a central character in The Merchant of Venice. A Jew, he works in finance, loaning money at interest. He agrees early in the play to loan money to Bassanio, a Venetian merchant who needs money to impress a rich noblewoman, Portia. This loan sets up conflict in the play, revealing to the reader much about who Shylock is and his character. Shylock's role as the antagionist sets up the main conflict in the story, and his actions reveal much about his character and personality, and serves to advance many of the play's themes.

Shylock is a major antagonist in the story. When viewed from the eyes of the Christian characters, his evil character and desire to exact revenge upon Antionio place him in the poorest light possible. Shylock's disdain for these Christian characters, particuraly Antionio, leads him to take action againt them. Either way, Shakespeare places Shyock as an antagonist, who's wickedness the main characters must overcome.

The Conflict

Shylock's Thematic Role

How did Shylock's involvement in the conflict shape the story?

How did the character of Shylock advance a theme in The Merchant of Venice?

Shyolck is very important to the Merchant of Venice's theme. Throughout the book, he is the recipient of many harsh, anti-semetic attacks. He is also constantly judged and discriminated againts because of his Jewish faith. Shakespeare presents this as a theme, using Shylock as an example of the cruelty and dangers of racism and prejudice. The character of Shylock is a flawed one; Skapespeare portrays him as being both greed and evil, but also as a character who responds drastically to extreme circumstances that, from Shyock's perspective, threaten his livelehood and family. Shylock is both the victim of extreme anti-semitism and guilty himself of prejudice, and the play serves as a warning on the dangers of hate.

Personality

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