On the Character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice【英语专业论文】.doc

On the Character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice Rachel Class 00, Grade 2007, School of Foreign Languages and Literature,Abstract: Critics tend to agree that Shylock is the most noteworthy figure in The Merchant of Venice. Some people read him as a bloodthirsty bogeyman and a clownish Jewish stereotype. They think that he is selfish, cruel, avaricious and niggard. However, the others hold different ideas for the woeful treatments he has got, which makes it hard for us to label him a natural born monster. So, nobody has given him an exact image for now. Indeed, Shylock is the play’s antagonist, but he is also a creation of circumstance; even in his single-minded pursuit of a pound of flesh. Here, I am going to give him a positive image. Except for being a villain, he is a warrior also to life and even to the society. Key Words: Merchant of Venice，Shylock，Character, a creation of circumstance, a warrior 1 Brief introduction 1.1 A brief introduction of the whole story The Merchant of Venice is one of the Shakespeare’s famous comedies in his early time. Its theme is to extol kindness, friendship and love. This story begins with the Venice businessman, Antonio. Antonio’s money is all invested in mercantile expeditions. In order to help his best friend, Bassano, he has to borrow from the Jewish usurer, Shylock. Shylock has made a strong bond that requires Antonio to surrender a pound of his flesh if he fails to repay him within a certain period of time. Antonio’s letter now releases that his ships have all been lost, and he is penniless, and will have to pay the pound of flesh. The bound issue has come before a court of law at which Portia appears disguised as a young lawyer instructed to judge the case. She first appeals to Shylock to have mercy, but when he insists on the letter of the law she lets him have it: he may take his pound of flesh, but there is no mention of blood in the bond; if he sheds a single drop of a Christian’s blood, his lands and