Eng 214
The Villainous Intentions of usurer
Though there is no doubt that anti-Semitism was a theme Shakespeare embedded in the portrayal of shylock in The Merchant of Venice, readers frequently misunderstand the characters intentions. Often readers and critics alike mistake Shylocks outrageous demand for a pound of flesh as one driven by greed rather than justice or satisfaction. (IV.i.8999) Shylock was an shipwreck survivor in the Venetian society we found him in. He was continually finding himself with his back against the wall, a position he seemed to deem put himself in. Shylocks true intentions are brought to brighten when looked at certain passages highlighting the hatred received from Antonio, the inequality from Christian Venetians, and the marriage to a Christian of his daughter Jessica.
Shylocks important reason for making the link was, of course, his hatred of Antonio. Antonio, a peachy Christian who lends without interest, constantly preaches about the sin of usury and publically denounces Shylock for practicing it. In addition, Shylock hates Antonio for an economic, even petty reason, and remarks that,He lends out money gratis and brings down the rate of intake here with us in Venice. [I. iii. 44-45].
Antonio also spit on him in public and called him a cut-throat dog. Shylock recognizes Antonios anti-Semitism, calling him an confrontation of our sacred nation [I. iii. 48]. Antonio was always trying to coerce Shylock to convert to Christianity, he even remarks to that effect to Bassanio after the bond is made, and Shylock can sense this and it further fuels his hatred. Tied in with his anti-Semitism is an apparent supremacy Antonio emotional states over Shylock, expressed in his ruthlessly complacent expression of superiority. I am as like to call thee so again, to spit on thee again, to despise thee too [I. iii. 130-131] Now the reader may even feel that, when Antonio explicitly tells Shylock, If thou wilt lend this money, lend it non as to thy...If you want to get a full essay, put it on our website: Orderessay
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