Merchant of Venice Essay DRAFT

    A comedic play about two friends whose love for each other causes a spur of events that tests the will of friendship, religion, and trust; leaves a wealthy Jew named Shylock to be the antagonist of the story.  A rich moneylender living in Venice, Shylock, signs a bond for three thousand ducats for Bassanio who marries Portia, the rich heiress from Belmont. As guarantor, Antonio who displays a great loathing towards Shylock is bound to keep to his end of the bargain because of the bond Shylock offered and his commitment to his best friend, Antonio. Throughout the book, we observe that Shylock is hated by many because of his cruel and judgmental remarks; however, Shylock isn't the jerk that people make him out to be.

    Conflicts between Jews and Christians were separated in society during the time period described in the Merchant of Venice because of different beliefs and practices. Early on in the book, Antonio exposes his hatred towards the Jew and we find that they have had issues prior to the bond. "I am as like to call thee so again, / To spit on thee again, shames that you have stained..." (A1,S3,L2-3) When Shylock talks about their past experiences with one another and offers his kindness, Antonio totally just shuts him down and completely ignores Shylock. It's not easy to pour your heart out to someone, especially if they hurt and humiliate you in front of your peers and be expected to endure that kind of abuse forever. If you were placed in Shylock's position wouldn't you be outraged and want to seek revenge towards Antonio? Therefore, Shylock is tormented because of his religion and when he defends himself, he is presented to be the evil one.

    Shylock who was a victim of bigotry was a nice person but after a while, a person will become tired of putting up with hurtful comments. Before agreeing upon the bond, Shylock offered a loan free of interest and friendship however Antonio the Jew-hating Christian turned down the offer because he was too arrogant and prideful in himself and his ships. "Why, look how you storm! I would be / friends with you and have your love, / forgot the names that you have stained/ me with supply your present needs / and take no doit of usance for my moneys, / and you'll not here me! This is kind I offer."(A1S3L148-151) Shylock did not mean for the bond to come about however he had put up with enough of Antonio's two sense and decided to take his revenge to extremes. Overall, Shylock is placed under difficult situations because the timing of the problems that occur in his life cause him to be stressed and highly irritable.

    "Our house is hell and though, a merry devil, / didst rob it of some taste of tediousness..." (A2S3L35-36) Although Jessica, Shylock's daughter, clearly hates living with her father, Shylock truly shows that he cares about her. Just like Antonio, Shylock's own daughter misunderstands him too. Therefore, Shylock is not a cruel jerk even if he acts like one, but he is a person who seeks recognition and love from his peers.

    As one of the main characters in the book, Shylock plays the important role of the outsider. Much like people in our society, some outsiders, bullies, and jerks are misunderstood and really not mean after all but they fear the thought of standing up for themselves because of their enemies such as Antonio. Have you ever been humiliated in front of a group of people you knew numerous times by a person you greatly disliked? Imagine how much courage Shylock had just to offer his friendship to Antonio. Picture how angry and embarrassed Shylock felt all those times Antonio made a fool of Shylock. For that reason, the book portrays Shylock as a despicable person when really, he is just the target of religious conflict and judgement.