How do we sympathise with shylock

Related Essays. How does Shakespeare compare and contrast the characters of Antonio and Shylock in the trial scene? Pages: 5 words. This is just a sample. You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers. Stay Safe, Stay Original. Not Finding What You Need? Copying content is not allowed on this website. Give us your email and we'll send you the essay you need. Send me the sample. By clicking Send Me The Sample you agree to the terms and conditions of our service.

We'll not send you spam or irrelevant messages. Please indicate where to send you the sample. Your sample has been sent. Don't waste time. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Throughout the play he is subject to severe racial hatred from the Christian people of Venice, Venice was primarily a Christian state so being of a different religious background, being a Jew was frowned upon.

Shylock was a usurer which in fact added to his problems, a usurer is someone who loans money and takes back interest. A Christian participating in this in Venice would have been considered an abomination in their faith; it was acceptable in the Jewish faith however the Christians hated Shylock for it.

I feel sympathy towards Shylock before the court case because he was terrorised for being Jewish. The play begins with Antonio, the merchant, feeling very depressed.

He struggles to understand why he is feeling this way but immediately cheers up when Bassanio returns. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan of money but Antonio does not have any money because it is all on his ships.

The pair are good friends and no one else would lend Bassanio the money because of his poor name financially. Antonio wants to help his friend Bassanio so tells him to borrow money under his name and pay back what he can.

They then go to Shylock for a loan. They agree and Shylock gives Bassanio the money. Launcelot leaves Shylock to go and work for Bassanio. There was no evidence that Shylock was a bad master but Launcelot leaves him because he is a Jew. When leaving Jessica precious ring given to Shylock by his late wife and money.

He insists that they should show mercy and points to the many slaves the Duke and Bassanio have this highlights their hypocorism. Shylock is not interested and still insists that he will have his bond. If his bond is not granted then the decision will make a mockery of Venice and the justice system. The Duke then asks Shylock why he expects mercy if he does not give it himself but Shylock replies that he has done no wrong and will have his bond!

So it would not be fair to say that he was totally evil as there are points in the play that Shakespeare wants to make us sympathise with him; "If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? Throughout the play Shylock and the Jews are spat on by Antonio and the Christians, who express true prejudice. Shylock is kicked and called a cur, dog, on many occasions. I feel that the evidence to suggest he is evil is much greater than the evidence which supports the concept that he is a victim.

There are many incidents to show that he is a villain. Shakespeare tries to show the audience Shylock's spite and hatred for Antonio. He tries to show us how Shylock is a villain. Get Access. Good Essays. Morality in Oedipus Rex Words 4 Pages. Morality in Oedipus Rex. Read More. Better Essays. Shakespeare's Presentation of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice. Satisfactory Essays. Othello Essay Words 2 Pages. Othello Essay. Powerful Essays. The Nature of Evil in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

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