What kind of character is Shylock?
Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in Venice. He is unpopular with other characters who accuse him of practising usury. This means lending money with outrageously high rates of interest . The merchants, such as Antonio, curse and spit at Shylock because they believe this way of making money is immoral.
Which character traits of Shylock is shown in this scene?
Shylock is firm and adamant on his decision to take nothing but the penalty. His motive is to take revenge from his enemy and show the strength of his character that nothing can prevent him from his purpose.
What characteristics trait does Shylock reveal in his speech?
In this monologue, Shylock reveals his resentment toward Antonio. First, he states that he hates Antonio for his religious beliefs, or simply because he is not Jewish. Shylock also hates Antonio because he is honest: Antonio doesn’t lend money at interest.
Why Shylock is the best character?
Even though Shylock is a villain, he does have a couple of redeeming qualities. He is a champion of his race. He speaks eloquently and convincingly about the injustice which the Jews have always suffered at the hands of the Christians.
Why Shylock is a complex character?
Shylock is a psychologically complex character ; discuss with regard to these headings : His All-consuming Passion for Revenge. His Inhumanity and Bad Traits. His Hatred for Antonio.
How is Shylock selfish?
Any concern about his daughter arises only as she represents a return of his possessions. Again, Shylock’s selfish, greedy, and dark character comes through as he wishes for the return of his daughter dead or alive so he could get his jewels back.
How do most critics describe Shylock?
Although critics tend to agree that Shylock is The Merchant of Venice’s most noteworthy figure, no consensus has been reached on whether to read him as a bloodthirsty bogeyman, a clownish Jewish stereotype, or a tragic figure whose sense of decency has been fractured by the persecution he endures.
How is Shylock manipulative?
Because of this, Shylock is a hardened character who is cunning, intelligent and manipulative. This is shown by the way he manipulates Antonio into agreeing to forfeit a pound of flesh if the bond cannot be fulfilled as a ‘joke.
What can a Shylock character analysis tell us about the play?
A Shylock character analysis can tell us a lot about The Merchant of Venice. Shylock, the Jewish moneylender is the villain of the play and the audience response depends on how he is portrayed in performance. An actor will hopefully be able to extract sympathy for Shylock from the audience, despite his vengeful bloodthirsty and greedy proclivities.
What traits in Shylock’s character justify his hate for Christians?
Another trait in Shylock’s character has been the religious and racial hatred he maintains towards the Christians. I’m not saying that he is the only one to do that or it is only one-sided. Rather, it was the Christians who showed strong hatred and ill-treatment towards his race. But, that does not justify his case.
How is Shylock’s characterisation composed of stereotypes?
Shylock’s characterisation is composed of stereotypes, for instance greediness and vengefulness, although there were no practising Jews who lived in England during Shakespearean England. Jews were expelled from the country in 1290 by Edward I in the Edict of Expulsion; this was not reversed until the Cromwell Era .
Is Shylock a rich man?
In a 1902 interview with Theater magazine, Adler pointed out that Shylock is a wealthy man, “rich enough to forgo the interest on three thousand ducats” and that Antonio is “far from the chivalrous gentleman he is made to appear. He has insulted the Jew and spat on him, yet he comes with hypocritical politeness to borrow money of him.”