Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

He also dislikes Antonio because he depresses the loan market, causing shylock to lose potential get from higher interest rates, "I hate him for he is a Christian: / But more, for that, in low simplicity, / He lends erupt money gratis, and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice," (Shakespeare I.iii.40-44). It is ticklish to argue against moneylender having the right to depict a fair profit on his loans.

It is also difficult to guess Shylock as a villain because he expects to make a profit lending money. Nor can we promptly argue that he is a villain or braggart(a) person only because he insists that Antonio re cede him what Antonio has agreed to pay him by law. Anti-Semitism runs throughout the play, with Venetians constantly insulting Jews found on their appearance, religious affiliation, and desire to make profit. However, living in such a prejudiced night club lends Shylock even off more credibility and sympathy when he demands his pound of flesh. In a society and business environment in which he is considered an outsider and inferior to Christians, Shylock's only recourse for justice is to begin advantage of the legal system, which swans no prejudices. Most of the time Shylock is viewed as evil or in a electronegative light when he is merely universe a intelligent businessman, like when he refuses Antonio's ships as collateral, "But ships are however boa

rd, sailors but men. / There be land rates and water rats, water thieves and land thieves - / I mean pirates - and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks," (Shakespeare I.iii.25).

Rosenheim, Judith. "Allegorical interpretation in The merchandiser of Venice." Shakespeare Studies, 24, 1996: pp. 156-210.

Shylock also seems no little humane or lacking in compassion that more Venetians who rely on slave labor to make their profits. The Venetians maintain that the "?slaves are ours," (Shakespeare IV.i.98).

However, at least Antonio made his pact with Shylock of his own free impart, something that slaves are unable to exert when being used for exploitation by the Venetians. We can see that galore(postnominal) of the problems laid at the feet of Shylock are problems of Venetian society and its economic system and prejudices. Shylock is only calling Antonio and otherwise Venetians on the carpet for what he views as their total deception in thinking he is not owed his pound of flesh, "You will answer, / The slaves are ours:--so do I answer you. / The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, / Is dearly bought; ?tis mine, and I will have it," (Shakespeare IV.i.97-1000).

Shakespeare, William. "The Merchant of Venice." In Howard Stanton (Ed.). The Complete Illustrated Shakespeare. New York: Park Lane, 1979: pp. 389-442.

It is readily apparent, then, that the unoriginal perspective of Shylock as a cruel, bloodthirsty, Jews out for vindicate is hardly a balanced of fair one in light of the events of The Merchant of Venice. While it is perhaps difficult to view Shylock as heroic, it is readily easy to
Ordercustompaper.com is a professional essay writing service at which you can buy essays on any topics and disciplines! All custom essays are written by professional writers!