Why Shylock Is a Complex Character - 2414 Words

The way a character gets its reputation is affected by the way the reader and other characters view them, and that perspective can change at any point throughout the storyline. In Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice, Shylock is presented as the most developed character. Shakespeare purposely creates both an antagonist and protagonist in Shylock, by creating a change in view for the reader throughout the play. He can be viewed as a hated Jew that is often referred to as a villain, a devil, and a money obsessed freak, but a sudden change of personality tends to always occur. We first see Shylock as a person who chooses everything over money, but later we find out that there are in fact some things he places above money. In act one†¦show more content†¦Using fair to describe the flesh shows how valuable Antonio’s flesh is to Shylock and that he is not only thirsty for the blood but for the revenge. Hence the fact Shylock repeatedly brings up the word bond, shows repetition which impacts the way the reader looks at Shylock; viewing him as obsessive with the fact there will be a possibility of receiving Antonio’s flesh and a possibility of Antonio dying. A vicious and revengeful perspective then comes out to the reader that eliminates any feelings of sympathy and increases a view of an antagonist. These two situations give a sudden perspective twist of Shylock, both happening in the same scene. This is just proof that one slight change of behavior can change the readers’ entire interpretation of a character at any point throughout the play, and that Shylock can be viewed in two different sides. When Shylock responds to his daughter Jessica’s runaway, it seems as if he is only concerned about the money Jessica had ran away with than the fact his daughter is gone. When Solanio discusses Antonio’s ships and Jessica’s elopement, he tells Salerio that Shylock screamed, â€Å"My daughter! My ducats! O my d aughter!/ Fled with a Christian! Oh my Christian ducats!/ Justice, the law, my ducats, and my daughter!/ A sealà ¨d bag, two sealà ¨d bags of ducats†(2.8.15-18). The point that Shylock is trying to prove is that he is clearly devastated that his money and daughterShow MoreRelatedEssay about Shylock in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare1704 Words   |  7 PagesShylock in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice contains an array of interesting and complex characters. From the alternately generous and grasping Antonio to the alternately love stricken and exploitative Bassanio to the vulnerable and manipulative Portia, this play has an abundance of multi-layered personalities. However, one of the most intriguing characters is also the most oft-vilified and minimized in the work. 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