The Sympathetic Embodiment Of Evil

The Sympathetic Embodiment of Evil

"Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew handsÐ'... If you prick us, do we not bleed?

If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?" (MerchantÐ'...III.i.). Shylock is one of Shakespeare's most intriguing characters of all time. He is most unique in that his true portrayal can, and has, been debated for centuries. Villain or hero has probably been the titles of countless essays and articles arguing his true identity. However, one word should sway any still confused Shakespearian; and that is context. I believe William Shakespeare himself felt fine with the harshness given to Shylock for that is exactly how all Jews were treated in the context of his time. It is safe to say that no one was having this debate in the time of Shakespeare because no one thought otherwise. Though with all that said, if I were given the opportunity to have control over the portrayal of Shylock in a production of the Merchant of Venice, I would most certainly force the audience into feeling the utmost sympathy for him. Yes there are endless arguments explaining what Shakespeare truly intended, and I do believe that he was originally meant as a villain and villain alone. But the beauty of Shakespeare is that you can take his plays out of their original context and into your own, while still maintaining relevance and meaning, and even maintaining the original lines. The meaning of the words and emotions of the play can change over time, as they have in The Merchant of Venice.

Shakespeare leaves this debate wide open with the entire dialogue that he gives to Shylock. I believe it would be very difficult for me to display Shylock as a villain given the constant harassment and abuse he takes from scene to scene. "You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, and spet upon my Jewish gabardine," (MerchantÐ'... I.iii.121-122). Shylock is continuously displaying the mistreatment he receives. "He hath disgraced me and/ hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted/ my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies" (MerchantÐ'... III.i.53-56). It is even taken to the point of his own family disgracing him. In Henry IV part I, Hotspur makes clear the importance of family when it comes to Shakespeare's commonly used theme of honor, where clearly his daughter is lacking. "My own flesh and blood to rebel!" (MerchantÐ'...III.i.34). It would be nearly impossible for an audience from the present day to feel nothing for a man when he delivers his infamous "hath not a Jew eyes" speech in act III scene i. This is the type of speech in which the character clearly draws sympathy from any reader. While in the time of Shakespeare this speech most likely drew more laughter from the crowd. Their perspective most likely could not believe that someone of the Jewish race and religion even had feelings or moral emotions. It is made clear in the play, as well as in historical fact that Jews were thought to be pure evil, thus, this cry for help only added to the comical essence of the play in the time of Shakespeare. Once again, it is not that I believe Shakespeare intended for Shylock to share the aspects of a hero with Antonio for example, with all his sympathetic speeches, but rather in the present day, these examples are viewed more as the discrimination brought upon a man just because of his lifestyle. Centuries later our perspective has changed and therefore the meaning of this play has changed as well. Through the lens of a religious eye, things are seen much differently.

The religious perspective brings differing viewpoints of the Christian religion as well as Judaism. Though the play was originally written as an anti-Semitic play, if shown today would portray more of an anti-Christian theme. God and heaven were major parts of the play, being brought up constantly. "You have the grace of God, sir, and he [Shylock] hath enough." (MerchantÐ'... II.ii.139-40) Over and over, the Christians of the play keep revisiting the fact that Shylock is doomed at the hands of his faith. "For truly I think you are damned." (MerchantÐ'...III.vi.5) In Elizabethan times, the public would have agreed, but today I think the perspective might have changed. In the dramatic trail scene towards the end of the play, Shylock is eventually forced into converting to Christianity. But most people know that you can not just threaten a person into believing what you want them to believe. "He presently becomes