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Shylock Character Analysis
Shylock Character Analysis
through the various traits of his character. Shakespeare illustrates Shylock as a typical Jew,
full of stereotypes, money minded and a ruthless character who ends in conflicts. This is
demonstrated through his bold, grudge filled speeches as a reveals his inner self and
expresses his feeling at the mention of Christians.
Shakespeare presents Shylock as a bitter and ruthless moneylender. Shylock reveals his
innermost, as he swells with hatred at the mention of Antonio’s name, “I will feed fat the
ancient grudge”. This reveals how Shylock is driven to satisfy the long-standing animosity with
Antonio, his dramatic side expresses his loathing of Christians and Antonio, which hints to a
rather historical grudge. His mentioning of the fricative “feed fat” implies the severity of his
mercilessness and the depth of his “grudge”. The audience here is made to imagine the
antagonist of the play, whose perceptions and desires are cunning, revengeful and cold-
hearted. Stating his “ancient grudge”, conveys his resentment with all Christians, his enmity
portrays his ruthless motives and depicts him to be truly envious to Christians. Shylock
continues to articulate his grudge with increasing anger, “Cursed be my tribe, if I forgive him”.
Here we are shown how Shylock has taken his animosity with Antonio too seriously and is
over thinking about wider implication of his forgiving, his inability to understand Christians
results in his bitter opinions and perceptions. The word “cursed” shows how it would be a sin
to forgive a Christian, revealing Shylock to be a heartless character. Shakespeare illustrates
Shylock to be increasingly indignant, as a result of his “grudge” which further reveals a
financial reason for his hatred, portraying him to be a rather threatening character.
Shakespeare represents Shylock’s scheming nature where he is mocking, calculative and
shrewd. Shylock demonstrates his knowledge of the financial world, especially Antonio’s,
“The man is notwithstanding sufficient”. The audience here is clearly shown how Shylock is
astute and has anticipated Antonio’s future already. We are shown how Shylock has planned
ahead, and is not underestimating his enemy’s power, but rather taking it to his advantage,
suggests his discriminating behavior. This is reinforced when he uses “Scripture for his
purposes”; unveil his cunning and sly attributes, and how he is able to present himself
intelligently. Shakespeare presents him to a smart character that is able to support his plans
and is able to scheme to advance in the play. While in his outrage Shylock asserts to mockery
as he asks Antonio, “Hath a dog money?” The audience here perceives a rather
contemptuous behavior from Shylock, however are able sympathize with him, after hearing
Antonio’s doings. We are shown Shylock’s ridicule of Antonio, which is justified, his mockery
implies how he is able to use his scheming nature to manipulate Antonio, to make him realize
his mistake and would encourage him to trust and be bound to Shylock. The rhetorical
question is a bold taunt to Antonio, allows Shylock to plan forward and have Antonio in his
grasp and to gain respect from him. Shakespeare reveals Shylock to be a mocking and
cunning character through his effective references and quick thinking.
Shakespeare successfully displays a bitter, prejudiced and scheming character who fulfills his
role as a Jew to its maximum, furthermore Shakespeare emphasizes Shylock’s significance
through his asides and powerful perceptions that encourage his vengefulness, clearly
illustrating to the audience the antagonist and a shrewd character.