Term 3 week 4 (Shylock)

What do you think is Shakespeare's intention of creating Shylock in The Merchant of Venice? Support your opinion with examples.


I think Shakespeare's intention of creating Shylock in The Merchant of Venice is to appeal to the public and the Queen. The Elizabethan Era was a time of antisemitism, when there was much prejudice against the Jews. Shakespeare could have created Shylock, a jew who was mocked and mistreated by others, so that he would be able to attract public viewers, and also not offend the Queen or the public by going against the act of antisemitism.

A few examples of the mistreatment of Shylock are as follows:

Insults from Antonio: Act 1 Scene 3, Act 2 Scene 8

Description of poor treatment of Shylock by Antonio (even spitting on him): Act 1 Scene 3

Conversation between Bassanio and Launcelot mocking Shylock: Act 2 Scene 2

Shylock portrayed as a cruel man: Act 4 Scene 1 (trial scene where Shylock kept going after a pound of Antonio's flesh)