What is the role of Shylock in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice?

Answer 1

Shylock is a central character in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice who famously demanded a "pound of flesh" from the title character.

His portrayal as the stereotype of a miserly money lending Jew may be demonstrative of the anti-Semitic sentiment prevalent at the time.

The character's deprivation of dignity at the hands of the Christians illustrates this division yet further.

There are elements of humanity in the character, most notably in his legendary "Hath not a Jew eyes" speech, in which he argues his right to dignity and to revenge himself on the Christians who wrong him. This passage is also often thought to be a breakdown of the division between Jews and Christians, as both will seek revenge.

In modern performances of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock is often treated as a tragic figure, while Antonio is cast as more of a villain.

Some scholars also suggest that Shylock is repeatedly shown to have human qualities and that he becomes a sympathetic character, particularly when he is told about Jessica's betrayal and the loss of his (deceased) wife's ring. Some have also claimed that the forced conversion is an attempt by Shakespeare to create a "happy ending", Shylock's soul is saved and in turn the Christians have served God.

Answer 2

Well, he's the bad guy of course. But he is not black and white. He is complex and he has some arguably justifiable issues. For example (and I'm only quoting from memory), "Doth not a Jew have feelings? When you prick him, doth he not bleed?," etc. In other words, why should Shylock get screwed out of a bunch of his money just because our hero is Christian and better looking than him? Where Shylock made his mistake and revealed what a creep he really was is when insisted on a "pound of flesh," meaning he wanted to kill what's-his-name by slicing him up with a knife if he couln't pay up. Portia, the Judge, couldn't allow that, and rightly so. She was a clever one, that Portia. She let Shylock have his pound of flesh on the condition he doesn't spill "one jot of blood" when he slices it off of our hero, lest Shylock himself be then tried on murder charges.

So, what is the role? Shylock is an antagonist. In other words, like I said, the bad guy. This is an important role that obviously is used in just about every Hollywood movie, because it works. That dramatic technique has been recognized as a crowd pleaser since before the ancient Greeks had their little melodramatic public theater performances.

Answer 3

Shylock is an interesting character. He is Jewish, which to the English audience was unusual, since Jews were officially banned from England since 1290, and were "officially" readmitted in 1656. He is not of nobility as were most lead characters in other plays. Shakespheare's treatment of Shylock is controversial, in that he is sympathetic with Shylock's suffering as a Jew ("does not a Jew bleed...."). But he also highlights Shylock's stubbornness which eventually leads to his downfall.

Answer 4

You ask this question in THIS forum? Scholars have been locked in heated debate for centuries, and you ask us?

Good luck in getting a straight answer.

Cider's is simple: The Pitiable Villain.

Answer 5

He's a stereo type used to show the antisemitism of the time.

Answer 6

He's the guy that'll cut your heart out for a dollar.