The Christian Example
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In The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, Shylock is portrayed as an evil man. In the famous “Hath not a Jew eyes” speech (3.1.63-78), he proclaims that he is just like the Christians. Shylocks “evil” deeds are not unfounded. His actions are merely the embodiment of all the discrimination he has faced at the hands of the Christian Venetians. Every questionable act Shylock commits can be explained by a previous action of the other Christian characters in the play. The Christians set the precedent for Shylocks behavior towards them.
Antonio hates Shylock simply because he is a Jew. He constantly berates Shylock, his culture, and his ways. Various characters refer to Shylock as a devil, a dog, and as wolfish. They perceive him as devoid of all human characteristics. In the beginning of this speech, Shylock has to remind his audience that he does in fact have “eyes hands, [and] organs” just like any other person (63-64). The Christians rob Shylock of any civilized qualities, yet want him to exercise the righteous act of mercy on Antonio. Antonios poorly based hatred for Shylock provides ample ammunition for Shylock to despise him and seek the most severe punishment.
“Hath not a Jew affections, passions?” (63-65). Throughout the play, Shylock is described as loving money above all else. However, one of his greatest laments when Jessica runs away is her trading of a ring that held sentimental value to him for a mere monkey. The ring was given to him by a woman who is assumed to have been his wife and Jessicas mother. He is not as much of a heartless man as the Christians perceive him to be. Even though Shylock rants about the loss of his money and jewels as much, if not more, than the loss of his daughter, it is evident he does care for Jessica. He claims that he would rather bury his jewels and money with his daughter, than have her run off with it to the Christians–the same people who look down upon his whole existence, including his way of earning money (3.1.94-97). It is not the fact that his ducats and gems are gone, but the fact that Jessica betrays him and hands it over to her Christian husband that immensely upsets him.
Shylocks affections for his daughter prove to be one of the noblest examples of love in this play. When Bassanio first mentions his intention of wooing Portia, he mentions her wealth and his debt. His quest to win Portia seems partially, if not mostly, driven by the prospect of her fortune. When it seems that Antonio cannot escape the terms of his bond, Bassanio and Gratiano both say they would sacrifice their wives to save him. These are poor demonstrations of both Christianity and love. However, when Shylock says “[is a Jew not] fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means… as a Christian is,” he implies that both Jews and Christians are affected by the same things, as well have the same kinds of motives (65-69). The food, weapon, disease, and healing method mentioned all point to revenge. When asked what he could possibly do with a pound of flesh, Shylock replies “if it feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge” (3.1.57-58). It feeds his revenge, and somewhat acts as a temporary healing agent for the indignities he has endured from the Christians, namely Antonio. Shylocks intense craving for revenge could be described as a disease.
“The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction” (76-78). Following the law is a central theme in the play, as justice is a central foundation of Venice. Justice denotes strictly following the law. The Venetians expect Shylock to show mercy on Antonio and bend the very laws they hold so high. Shylock strictly adheres to the law in a more literal sense, using the example of slaves as flesh that was rightly bought to rationalize his demand of a pound of flesh (4.1.97-100). Shylock, as a Jew, an outsider, insists upon the enforcement of this Christian citys laws. He conforms to their standards in order to deliver to them a brand of their own bitter medicine.
Shylocks decision to use a pound of flesh as his assurance is not just some farfetched idea aimed at injuring Antonio. Antonio has spoken out publicly about his dislike for Shylocks practice of usury. While making the provisions of the bond this issue is brought