Shylock Analysis Flashcards
(3 cards)
“Hath a Jew hands, organs, senses, dimensions, affections, passions?”
Shylock lists reasons to suggests how Jews really aren’t that different to Christians, in order to a create a more sympathetic view towards him.
Audiences at the time may feel this is hypocritical due to other remarks by Shylock, such a “I hate him for he is a Christian”, however modern audiences see that Shylock’s treatment was unjustified.
Comparable to Al Pacino’s representation of Shylock as deeply hurt by prejudice, rather than as a domestic tyrant.
“I would my daughter dead at my foot with my jewels in her ear”
Shylock sees Jessica as being dead to him following her leaving with Lorenzo and taking his wife’s ring. This represents Shylock as a domestic tyrant who values his wealth over his own daughter’s life, linking to the Jewish stereotype of Greed.
“The villainy you teach me I will execute and it shall go hard”
Shylock outlines his reasons for why he acts as a consequence of the treatment he has received from the Christians.
Exposes the hypocrisy and hateful behaviour of the Christian characters who all believe they are good people.
An audience of the time would see Shylock as the villain, however a modern audience would feel his behaviour is justified following events like the Holocaust
