Shy Lovk Victum or Villen

Throughout the play: The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare juggles with the idea of Shylock being either a victim or villain. At the time The Merchant of Venice was written, Jews where neglected and abused by Christians. This is reflected in The Merchant of Venice, although the audience is made to feel sorry for Shylock at times. Such as when Jessica betrays Shylock by running away with his money and eloping with a Christian, sending Shylock into a rage and wanting revenge. For this behaviour Shylock is frowned upon and looked at as a villain or akin to the devil. So its debate as to what the Jew Shylock is a victim or a villain. Because he is constantly criticized and disrespected by Christians as well as giving a cruel and undeserved punishment by the court, Shylock is portrayed as a victim in The Merchant of Venice.

Shylock is a victim in the play The Merchant of Venice. Christians consistently mistreat and disrespect Shylock because of his religion. First of all, throughout the play it’s not only shown by the characters but by the creator himself. Constantly Shakespeare refers to Shylock entering the room as The Jew nothing more. Where as you see on multiple occasions that Shakespeare is calling others by higher honours like Morocco when he enters Shakespeare says “Prince of Morocco, a tawny moor all dressed white, and three or four followers accordingly” (Act II sc I introduction) so could it be that
Shakespeare himself hates Jews? It would be understandable after all this is the 1500’s and Jewish people where nothing back then, treated in just because of their religion. Furthermore, Gratiano shows disrespect to Shylock by abusing him and calling him an “in execrable dog” (Act IV sc I line 130) this shows a great disliking towards Shylock which is undeserved and unjust. Finally, Antonio shows great disrespect towards Shylock by even asking for money in the first place. Shylock mentions Antonio has spat on him before and to that Antonio says he will probably...