Author: AIDAN LANG

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Merchant of Venice #2

In Act 3, we see how many of the characters seem to miss the point of Shylock’s motivations. While Shylock’s actions are no doubt unreasonably cruel, Antonio completely misses the point. When Shylock repeats over and over again, ” I will have my bond”, Antonio believes that this is purely directed toward him. He thinks that Shylock is upset that he loses business due to Antonio’s no-interest loans. In reality, Shylock is upset at society and Antonio for their treatment of Jewish people like himself. He has lost his daughter and his servant due to anti-Semitism without any repayment. In Shylock’s perspective, He does not intend to let the anti-Semitic Antonio steal from him too.

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Assignment #1

Merchant of Venice #1

by Aidan Lang

Throughout Act II, we see on full display the culturally accepted anti-Semitism within Venetian society, and how that is actively fueling the need for revenge in the story’s antagonist, Shylock. Despite being a “lenient master”, Shylock’s servant, Lancelot, wants to run away due to Shylock being “a kind of devil”. He ends up enlisting the employment of Bassanio, as a means to escape Shylock despite not even knowing how he will be treated by his new master. Even Shylock’s daughter Jessica runs away to marry Bassanio without even really knowing if she loves him. When Shylock learns of these betrayals, he is furious and desperate for revenge. After learning that Antonio is not going to be able to pay for Bassanio’s loan in money, Shylock is more than willing to accept Antonio’s flesh. (Kill him.) From Shylock’s perspective, he is only showing the same callousness and indifference to Antonio that everybody, including his own daughter, shows him.