Shylock as Villian in Shakespeares Merchant of Venice :: Free Merchant of Venice Essays

Shylock as Villian in Shakespeares Merchant of Venice           In Shakespeares Merchant of Venice the antagonist of the cheer is Shylock.  Shylock is a wealthy Jewish moneylender. Shylock is likely the most memorable character in the play because of Shakespeares excellent characterization of him. Shylock is the antagonist in the play because he stands in the way of love, and this does not necessarily make him the villain of the play.  Shylock can be seen as both the villain of the play and as a man who is really human.         The villain that we see in Shylock is the greedy moneylender. Shylock charges high interest rates and when he is not repaid he insists on revenge.  In the play Shylock loans Antonio money, and out of jest he suggests that should the loan not be repaid in time Shylock may cut off one dog pound of flesh from Antonios body.  Soon after Shylocks daughter runs away from home with Lorenzo, a Christian, and takes her fathers ducats with her.  When Antonios ships do not come in and he is not able to reelect the loan Shylock is no longer interested in getting his money back. Shylock want revenge for the loss of his daughter through the fulfilment of the bond.  In court Shylock is defeated because of his selfishness.         Shakespeare also shows the human qualities of Shylock throughout the play.  Shakespeare brings out these human qualities by causing us to feel kindness for him.  After the loss of his daughter Shylock ran through the streets crying My daughter O my ducats O my daughter as children followed him, mocking him.  This causes us to feel munificence for Shylock, even though we may feel him to be a villain. Besides the loss of his daughter and his ducats, after the trial Shylock also looses his property and his religion.