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The Merchant of Venice: Shylock's Character - Online Term Paper

The Merchant of Venice: Shylock's Character

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. They also seem to despise him for his culture and religion. Even his daughter, Jessica, finds Shylock unbearable and she runs away from home, taking with her a chest of money and jewels.

Shylock offers to loan Antonio (and therefore Bassanio) the sum of 3000 ducats, but instead of charging any interest he says he will take one pound of Antonioā€™s flesh if the money is not repaid within three ...

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Shylock he becomes set on claiming his pound of flesh, even though this will most likely kill Antonio.

Victimised ā€“ Shylock is hated by the merchants in Venice not only for his methods of making money, but also for his religion. One of the main topics of discussion about this play is whether Shylock is actually a villain or a victim.

Friends and enemies

Shylockā€™s friends are limited to:

Tubal ā€“ a Jewish friend and fellow moneylender

Jessica ā€“ his daughter runs away because our house is hell

His enemies are:

Antonio ā€“ who lends money without interest, undercutting Shylock

Portia ā€“ disguised as Balthazar she ensures that Shylock loses all his wealth

Changes in character

Shylock is quick to reject Bassanioā€™s invitation to dinner on the basis that he will not be friends with Christians. However, later he delivers a powerful speech about the common humanity that Jews and Christians share.

Initially he seems entirely concerned with money ...

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The Merchant of Venice: Shylock's Character. (2021, May 26). Retrieved February 6, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Merchant-of-Venice-Shylocks-Character/107715

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"The Merchant of Venice: Shylock's Character." Essayworld.com. May 26, 2021. Accessed February 6, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Merchant-of-Venice-Shylocks-Character/107715.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 5/26/2021 03:33:04 AM
Submitted By: huzi
Category: Shakespeare
Type: Free Paper
Words: 412
Pages: 2

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