who is the real hero of merchant of venice essay

The Merchant of Venice

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Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who, depending on one’s perspective , is either the villain or the tragic hero of the play. Having long suffered as a second-class citizen in deeply anti-Semitic 16th-century Venice, Shylock lashes out at his chief tormentor, Antonio, by demanding that the merchant put up a pound of his flesh for collateral on a loan. Few of the characters believe Shylock will really go through with collecting the flesh, yet when Antonio cannot pay, Shylock vows to uphold the terms of the deal.

To Christian outsiders, Shylock’s intransigence is at best confounding and at worst evidence of his innate evil. From Shylock’s perspective, however, his insistence that Antonio follow the terms of the deal is both an act of revenge and an assertion of his personhood. Under law, he is entitled to Antonio’s flesh, and thus he serves as an imperfect plaintiff in a court ruling that will test whether Jews like himself enjoy the same contract protections as Christians.

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About Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice

By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine Editors of the Folger Shakespeare Library Editions

The Merchant of Venice , like most of Shakespeare’s comedies, is about love and marriage. But the path to marriage in this play is unusually hazardous. The characters compare it to the epic voyage undertaken by Jason and the Argonauts to win the Golden Fleece. In this play, Portia, the fabulously wealthy heiress of Belmont, is herself the Golden Fleece, according to her would-be husband, Bassanio. To win her hand in marriage, he must put his future at risk in an attempt to choose correctly among three caskets or chests made of gold, silver, and lead. If he chooses rightly, he wins, in marriage, the beautiful, intelligent, and supremely resourceful Portia and her great wealth. If he chooses wrongly, he must forever abandon Portia and may never propose marriage to any other woman. He would therefore die without legal heirs.

And the test of the caskets, prescribed in the will of Portia’s dead father, is not the only obstacle to Bassanio and Portia’s happiness. There also stands against them a magnificent villain, the moneylender Shylock. In creating this character, Shakespeare seems to have shared in a widespread and, from our point of view, despicable prejudice against Jews. In Shakespeare’s England there may have been no more than about two hundred Jews; however, Jews loomed large in the imagination because of myths still circulating from the Middle Ages about, for example, their ritual murder of Christians. Shylock would have been regarded as a villain simply because he was a Jew. Yet Shakespeare was led by his art of language to put onstage a character who gave such powerful expression to the alienation he felt because of the hatred around him that, in many productions of the play and in the opinions of many famous actors, Shylock emerges the hero of The Merchant of Venice . In fashioning in Shylock a character whose function is to frustrate the satisfaction that we are invited to desire for the play’s lovers, Shakespeare has, for many people, brought forth a character who rivals the lovers in the power he exerts over us.

Over the centuries Portia too has deeply engaged audiences. In her role as the daughter bound by her father’s will, one who sees herself as helpless in the face of the casket test and whose anxieties and joys we are encouraged to share, Portia is, for readers and playgoers alike, one of Shakespeare’s most appealing heroines. But it is in her role as Balthazar the young lawyer that Portia is most remembered. The speech in which she urges Shylock to show the kind of mercy that “ droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven ,” that “ is enthronèd in the hearts of kings ” and “ is an attribute to God Himself ,” is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and most loved passages. For readers and audiences today, the pleasure that should accompany her saving of Antonio is clouded by what seems to us her cruel treatment of Shylock—but the role of Portia remains one that every Shakespearean actress yearns to play.

After you have read the play, we invite you to turn to “ The Merchant of Venice: A Modern Perspective ,” by Professor Alexander Leggatt of the University of Toronto.

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• The Merchant of Venice

Read our complete study guide on the play “The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare. Our study guide covers The Merchant of Venice analysis, summary, themes, and characters..

Introduction

William Shakespeare, the world’s pre-eminent dramatist or playwright and the renowned poet, was born in 1564, in Stratford. During the Elizabethan ages of theatre, he was one of the creative writers. His plays, no doubt, are his everlasting heritage, however, plays are not the only thing he wrote; his poetry is also renowned to this day.

He wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets and 2 narrative poems along with some other poems. His plays were published by his colleagues after his death and that too was not original manuscripts. Shakespeare’s heritage is as amusing and varied as his work; his dramas have deposited numerous alterations through several genres and ethos; moreover, his plays have had an everlasting manifestation on stage and big screen. He died in 1616.

Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice” is supposed to be written in between 1596 to 1599. This play is classified as a comedy in the 1st Folio. It also shares certain aspect with Shakespeare’s romantic comedy. The plot of the play centered on love, money, biases, and social injustices. The main characters of the play are Antonio (the merchant of Venice), Portia, Shylock, and Jessica. Other characters include Bassanio, Gratiano, Lorenzo, Nerissa, and so on.

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Summary

The play starts with the Bassanio, a young, nobleman, who wishes to marry a wealthy and beautiful lady Portia, the heiress of Belmont. Bassanio needs a loan of 3000 ducats to sponsor his marriage. He approaches a friend Antonio, a rich merchant of Venice. Antonia promises to give him a loan, however, he was short of money since all his ships and merchandise are invested at the sea to Tripolis. Bassanio, on the advice of Antonia, finds a Jewish moneylender Shylock and mention Antonia as money’s guarantor.

Antonia had already upset Shylock by outspoken prejudice to Jews while on the other hand, Shylock was also familiar with Antonia’s habit to lend money without interest that may force him (Shylock) to charge low rates. At first, Shylock refuses to grant the money to Bassanio, mentioning the mistreatment he suffered from Antonia’s hand.

However, he agrees to lend the loan without interest with a condition that is if Antonia doesn’t repay or is not able to repay his loan with a fixed duration, Shylock will exact a pound of Antonia’s flesh. Antonio, being confident that his ships will return at the time, accepts the offer.

Bassanio, with his friend Gratiano, leaves for Belmont with money in his hands. Gratiano is a young man often over talkative and thoughtless. In the meantime, in the Belmont, Portia is provided with the suitors from her father. Her father left a will for the suitors to choose correct basket from the three baskets- gold, silver, and lead. Each basket has a slogan with hidden meaning. If anyone of them picks the right basket, he would marry Portia.

The Prince of Morocco, the 1st suitor, decides on the gold basket while the Prince of Aragon, the second suitor, decides on the silver basket. Both of them leave unsuccessful. The last suitor was Bassanio, whom the Portia also wishes to succeed. Bassanio decides on the lead basket and succeeds in marrying Portia.

At Venice, Antonio is reported about the lost ships in the sea. In such circumstances, Antonio is unable to repay the debt. While on the other side, Shylock turns out to be more determined to avenge the Christians since his daughter Jessica escaped with a Christian man Lorenzo and converted to Christianity. After the completion of fixed time, Shylock brings Antonio before the court.

Shortly after the marriage of Bassanio with Portia and his friend Gratiano with Portia’s handmaid Nerrisa, Bassanio receives a letter that Antonio is unable to repay the Shylock’s loan. Bassanio immediately leaves for Venice to save Antonio’s life with the money from Portia. Portia follows Bassanio with her maid Nerrisa and disguised as the male lawyer and the clerk.

In the court of Duke of Venice, Shylock declines Bassanio’s offer of double payment of loan i.e. 6000 ducats and demanded the pound of Antonio’s flesh. The Duke wishes to save Antonio’s life but was unable to do so, he handover the case to the visitors- the visitors are Portia, the lawyer in disguised and maid Nerrisa, the clerk in disguised. As the wise lawyer, Portia recurrently asks Shylock to have mercy on Antonio but shylock declines her requests and insists on the demand of pound of flesh.

Finally, the court bequests the Shylock his words and Antonia prepares himself for Shylock knife. However, the twist in the story comes when Portia asks Shylock for the “specific performance”. She mentions that the bond only permits Shylock to remove Antonio’s flesh, not the blood. Therefore, if Shylock stayed to shed a single drop of blood, he will have to surrender his “lands and goods” under Venetian laws.

Moreover, Portia also tells Shylock to cut precisely one pound of flesh and also advises if he cuts more flesh even of the estimate of a single hair, they will confiscate all his goods and wealth.

Helpless to the conditions imposed, Shylock compromises to accept Bassanio’s offer for the evaded bond. However, Portia mentions that he has refused this offer in the open court and now he is unable to avail it. Furthermore, she quotes the law, under which Shylock property has been confiscated in an attempt to murder a citizen. Half of his property is fortified to the government while half to Antonia, leaving Shylock’s life on the mercy of the Duke. The Duke forgives the Shylock.

Antonia gives half of the property back to the Shylock upon condition that the principle share will be given to his Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, by him and shylock should also covert himself to Christianity. At the end of the story, another good news arrives the all of Antonia’s ships have returned safely. The happy ending of the play was celebrated by all except Shylock.

Themes in the Merchant of Venice

Love versus self-interest.

The Christian Characters in the play represents the love and value for human relationships more than money and business, whereas, The Jewish Character, Shylock, represents a character who always think of his self-interest. The merchant Antonia in the play is the best representation of love as he lends money without self-interest.

Secondly, he gets ready to surrender his life for Bassanio. Whereas Shylock value money more than any human relationship which is shown through the scene when his daughter escaped with a Christian man and took his money along with her and Shylock run in streets crying about his money.

However, we cannot merely associate the self-interest to Shylock’s Character. He, too, to some extend disvalue money over human relationships. He got hurt when his daughter Jessica sold the ring that he gifted to his wife. Moreover, he values his resentment more than the money that Bassanio offers.

Bassanio and Portia are also the representation of love in the play.

The plot of the story represents a conflict between Shylock, a Jewish Character, and Antonia, a Christian character. Although, the law is on the Shylock’s side because of the contract that was signed between both, however, he is reluctant to show mercy on Christian character. Shylock, in the play, is the best representation of a Jewish character who is merciless and are of a rigid nature. While on the other hand, Christian characters, strictly adhering to the New Testament is expected to show mercy which is the divine manifestation.

At the climax of the plot, when the story takes the turn and everything goes in favor of Antonia and against Shylock: Antonia, being Christian, shows mercy over Shylock and requests the Duke to return his property upon a certain condition. Mercy, represented in this play, sweet and selfless.

Hatred and Prejudice

At the start of the play, we come to about Antonia’s hatred towards Shylock for being Jewish. Shylock time and again faces Christian’s hatred for one reason or other. This results in developing his inner hatred towards them. This hatred was more polished when his daughter Jessica escaped with a Christian man Lorenzo taking his wealth along. Through the bond, Shylock finds the way to avenge Christians. But the love of Christians overwhelmed shylock’s hate towards them.

The Merchant of Venice Characters Analysis

Antonia is a rich Christian merchant in Venice. His love for his friend Bassanio prompts him to sign a contract of one pound of his flesh. He is a character who possess both the characteristics of the protagonist and antagonists. He shows great love and affection towards his Christian friends but is harsher towards Jews and abuse them with his outspoken Anti-Semitism. However, at the end of the story, being representative of Christian’s New Testament, he shows great mercy towards Shylock, A Jewish Character, too.

He is a rich Jewish moneylender in Venice who is highly angered by the ill-treatment he receives on behalf of Christians, particularly Antonia. Shylock is presented as a villain in the story, who schemes to eke out his revenge by demanding a pound of Antonia’s flesh. He is seen by the audience as an inhuman monster; however, all this reaction is because of the inner hatred that developed slowly and gradually because of the mistreatment he received from Christians. The complex nature of his character earned him a place as the most memorable character in Shakespearean plays.

He is a kind and dear friend of Antonia. Bassanio is a gentleman who falls in love with a wealthy heiress Portia of Belmont and wishes to marry her. His wish to marry Portia leads him to lend 3000 ducats from Shylock with Antonia’s as money guarantor. He, according to the will of Portia’s father, shows himself as the praiseworthy suitor by choosing the right basket.

A beautiful and wealthy heiress of Belmont, whose beauty only matches with her intelligence. She marries Bassanio according to her father’s will. She is the wisest and intelligent character in the play who saves Antonia life by her profound wisdom and acting as the lawyer in disguise.

He is a kind friend of Bassanio who accompanies him to Belmont. He is overly talkative and flippant representing the flat character of the play. He marries Portia’s maid Nerrisa.

She is the handmaid of Portia and marries Portia’s husband friend Gratiano. She accompanies Portia to Venice and acts as lawyer’s clerk in disguise.

She is Shylock’s daughter who is tired of her life at her father’s home and escaped with a Christian man Lorenzo.

He is a friend of Bassanio and Antonia and loves Shylock’s daughter Jessica. He schemed to escape with Jessica and marry her in Belmont.

Duke of Venice:

A kind and merciful ruler of Venice who presides over the trial. Despite powerful man, he is unable to save Antonia’s life and is helpless in front of the law.

The Merchant of Venice Literary Analysis

The play, The Merchant of Venice, is categorized as the comedy, also refers to “problem comedy”. Shakespearean comedy has a light, humorous tone with clever dialogue and witty banter. Mistaken identity, deception plus disguise are the central features of this comedy. Love, marriage, family drama, multiple plots with twists and turns along with the reunification of families are characteristics of Shakespeare comedies that are best represented in this play.

There is no narrator in the play. All the story is presented through dialogues of the characters on the stage.

Shakespeare well-crafted the plot of the play. There are several appropriate instances of witty comedy in the play. The play has a fascinating and speedy scheme that arouses a tranquil, uncontaminated world resonant of fairytale and romance. The play has a complex plot only because of the complex evil nature of Shylock that is disposed at the end of the play. Shakespeare makes critical points about love, justice, mercy, and friendship, the typical Renaissance Virtues.

There are two stories in one play- the casket plot of Portia and the bond story of Shylock. Shakespeare intelligently combines the two plots. The play has uniqueness in its lack of true hero and villain. Apparently, Antonia is seen as the hero by the audience, he also has some antagonistic characteristics like hate for the Jews. While Shylock is presented as the villain of the play who bears hate for Antonia, however, this hate is the consequence of ill-treatment he receives from the Christians.

The play has two setting: the Venice- where bond was made between Shylock and Antonia and the Belmont- where the casket plot of Portia occurs.

Shakespearean comedies are characterized with light and humorous tone, however, this play has a heavier tone that one wouldn’t expect. The story is focused on biases and oppression of minorities that resulted in the heavy tone of the play.

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The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare | Summary & Characters

William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” is a renowned play that combines elements of comedy, romance, and drama. Set in Venice, Italy, the play explores themes of love, greed, revenge, and justice. Through its compelling characters and intricate plot, Shakespeare delves into the complexities of human nature, leaving a lasting impact on readers and audiences alike.

Table of Contents

Summary of the Play

“The Merchant of Venice” revolves around the merchant Antonio, who borrows money from the Jewish moneylender Shylock to help his friend Bassanio woo the wealthy heiress Portia. However, when Antonio fails to repay the loan, Shylock demands a pound of his flesh as collateral. The story unfolds with a series of trials, schemes, and revelations, ultimately leading to a resolution that highlights the power of mercy and forgiveness.

The play is divided into five acts, each contributing to the development of the plot and characters. Act 1 sets the stage for the conflict, while Act 2 introduces Portia and her suitors. Acts 3 and 4 focus on the trial scene and the resolution of the various subplots, leading to the climactic conclusion in Act 5.

Main Characters

Portia is a wealthy heiress known for her intelligence, wit, and beauty. She disguises herself as a male lawyer to save Antonio in the trial scene, demonstrating her resourcefulness and compassion.

Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who seeks revenge against Antonio for his past mistreatment. Despite his villainous portrayal, Shylock’s character raises questions about prejudice, justice, and humanity.

Antonio is the titular merchant of Venice, whose bond with Bassanio drives the central conflict of the play. His willingness to sacrifice himself for his friend reflects themes of loyalty and selflessness.

Bassanio is Antonio’s close friend who seeks to marry Portia for her wealth. Although initially portrayed as a spendthrift, Bassanio proves his worth through his loyalty and devotion to Portia.

Jessica is Shylock’s daughter, who elopes with Lorenzo, a Christian. Her conversion to Christianity and rejection of her father’s values symbolize the theme of love transcending social barriers.

Themes in “The Merchant of Venice”

“The Merchant of Venice” addresses several overarching themes that resonate with audiences across time and cultures.

Love and Friendship

The play explores the bonds of love and friendship through the relationships between characters like Antonio and Bassanio, Portia and Bassanio, and Jessica and Lorenzo.

Prejudice and Discrimination

Shakespeare critiques the prevalent anti-Semitic attitudes of his time through Shylock’s character, highlighting the destructive effects of prejudice and discrimination.

Mercy and Justice

The contrast between Shylock’s desire for vengeance and Portia’s plea for mercy underscores the theme of justice tempered with compassion.

Analysis of Key Scenes

The casket scene.

In this pivotal scene, Portia’s suitors must choose the correct casket to win her hand in marriage, showcasing themes of appearance versus reality and the nature of true love.

The Trial Scene

The trial scene is the climax of the play, where Shylock demands his pound of flesh from Antonio. Portia’s clever intervention exposes the flaws in Shylock’s case and ultimately saves Antonio’s life.

Literary Devices Used

“The Merchant of Venice” employs various literary devices to enhance its themes and character development.

Foreshadowing

Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to hint at future events, such as Portia’s disguise as a male lawyer and the outcome of the trial.

Irony is prevalent throughout the play, particularly in the reversal of fortunes and the characters’ misconceptions about themselves and others.

Vivid imagery, such as the iconic image of the scales of justice, enriches the play’s themes and adds depth to its characters and settings.

Reception and Criticism

“The Merchant of Venice” has elicited diverse reactions from audiences and critics over the centuries.

Historical Context

The play reflects the social and political climate of Shakespeare’s time, including attitudes towards religion, money lending, and gender roles.

Modern Interpretations

Contemporary adaptations and reinterpretations of the play continue to explore its themes in new and thought-provoking ways, sparking debates about its relevance in today’s society.

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“The Merchant of Venice” remains a timeless masterpiece that captivates audiences with its rich characters, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes. Through its exploration of love, justice, and mercy, Shakespeare’s play continues to resonate with readers and viewers, inviting them to ponder the complexities of human nature and the enduring power of forgiveness.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is “the merchant of venice” based on a true story.

No, “The Merchant of Venice” is a work of fiction created by William Shakespeare.

What is the significance of the title?

The title refers to the setting of the play, Venice, and the central character, the merchant Antonio.

Why is Shylock portrayed as a villain?

Shylock’s portrayal as a villain reflects the anti-Semitic attitudes prevalent in Shakespeare’s time, but modern interpretations offer more nuanced readings of his character.

What role does Portia play in the resolution of the conflict?

Portia’s intelligence and resourcefulness are instrumental in saving Antonio and resolving the conflicts in the play.

How does “The Merchant of Venice” explore themes of mercy and justice?

The play juxtaposes Shylock’s desire for strict justice with Portia’s plea for mercy, highlighting the tension between legalism and compassion.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Merchant of Venice — Shylock As A Hero Or Villain In The Merchant Of Venice

Shylock as a Hero Or Villain in The Merchant of Venice

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Who is the true hero in The Merchant of Venice Character Analysis

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The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare set in 16th Century, Venice. This is a play about a Merchant, Antonio, who borrows money from a Jewish money lender, Shylock. Antonio is borrowing the money for his friend, Bassanio. Antonio wishes to give the money to Bassanio so he can attempt to win the hand of Portia, a wealthy lady. When Antonio finds himself unable to repay his debt, his life is at stake and the drama unfolds. 16th Century Venice was not like the world we live in today. Although it was a very successful city, life for most people was hard. It was a judgemental Christian city where slavery and arranged marriage were commonplace. Shakespeare uses this environment to bring out the worst in his characters. We see greed, prejudice and revenge as each character fights for what they believe to be correct. In these surroundings it is not difficult to find a villain but it is difficult to find a hero.

So who is the true hero in the Merchant of Venice? Antonio is one of the main characters; he is the Merchant of Venice. He is wealthy, well known and a loyal friend to Bassanio. However he has hatred towards Jews. Some may consider Antonio to be the hero, for borrowing three thousand ducats for his dear friend Bassanio but some may consider him as a villain due to his prejudice towards the Jewish money lender, Shylock. When he is unable to pay his debt and his life is about to be taken he still holds the values of friendship higher than his own life: “And he repents not that he pays your debt, /For if the Jew do cut but deep enough /I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart” (Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Sc. 1, 277-279)

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But I do not think Antonio can be considered a hero because although he was honourable to his friend and to Venice, his treatment of Shylock was unforgivable. Even when asking for the loan he admits his prejudice towards Shylock because he was a Jew: “I am as like to call on thee so again, /To spit on thee again, to spurn on thee too.” (Merchant of Venice, Act 1, Sc. 3, 125-126)

And although he spared Shylocks life and left him half of his fortune, his terms were very cruel:

“He presently become a Christian; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possess’d Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.” (Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Sc. 1, 385-388)

Bassanio didn’t have to make Shylock a Christian; he could have just let him go. This cruel term overshadows all the good things that he’s done for others so that’s why I think Bassanio is a villain. Shylock is also a big part of the play. He has the potential to be a hero because he’s a hard working honest man, true to Judaism and endures prejudice in his everyday life: “You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, /And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine” (Merchant of Venice, Act 1, Sc. 3, 107-108)

His daughter, Jessica, runs away from him to be with her Christian lover, Lorenzo. She also converts to Christianity and steals all his riches. At this point the reader feels sorry for Shylock but when he finds himself in the position of power, he turns out to be as cruel as everyone else: “I’ll have no speaking, I will have my bond.” (Merchant of Venice, Act 3, Sc. 3, 17)

His attitude doesn’t change when he goes to court and by this stage the reader has no sympathy for him so Shylock is definitely not a heroic or likeable character. Portia is one of the only three main female characters in the play. She is loyal to her late father, intelligent, witty and mischievous. Will she be a hero or a villain? Portia seems a victim at first; how she’s forced into a marriage and doesn’t have a choice. However when Bassanio, the man she’s loved from first sight, picks the right casket she seems content and she tells him that he is her “king” – (Merchant of Venice, Act 3, Sc. 2, 165). When Bassanio’s dear friend, Antonio, is in trouble and needs three thousand ducats, Portia shows her kindness and love for Bassanio by offering to pay even more:

“Pay his six thousand, and deface the bond. Double six thousand, and then treble that, Before a friend of this description Shall lose a hair through Bassanio’s fault.” (Merchant of Venice, Act 3, Sc. 2, 297-300)

Her greatest act is saving the life of Antonio. It is easy for a rich person to pay a bond but Portia makes a greater sacrifice by disguising herself as a male doctor of law and facing the courtroom. When she cannot persuade Shylock to change his mind, she says that he is quite entitled under the law to cut off a pound of Antonio’s flesh. However she outwits him by failing to mention that he cannot legally draw blood and therefore can in fact not take the flesh he so desires. I think this shows that Portia is very heroic and witty. In my opinion I think that the true hero in the Merchant of Venice is Portia. I think this because she is kind, generous, helps other’s, and saved someone’s live. This makes her stand out as a heroic character above all the others.

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Common – The Merchant Of Venice – Essay

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Essay that compares and contrasts the characters of Shylock & Portia (Shakespeare’s The Merchant Of Venice.)

William Shakespeare’s masterful storytelling in his play The Merchant Of Venice (MOV) allows audiences to introspect and gain insight into the anomalies which epitomise the human experience. Accordingly, the Bard’s treatment of Shylock and Portia’s individual experiences is unique because as the plot progresses, these seemingly dichotomous become increasingly alike due their paradoxes. Ultimately, this story has impacted audiences across time by providing a perspective which authentically reflects the human condition.

Shakespeare contrasts Shylock and Portia’s individual experiences through the audience’s surface level perception of their characters, as a bloodthirsty Jew and an empowering Heroine, respectively.  The Jew’s antagonistic tendencies are established whilst creating the bond with Antonio, “In merry sport, if you repay me not … let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh.” Although Shylock maintains the comic genre of MOV by stating that the agreement is “a merry sport,” it is highly inconsistent because when he later uses the phrase “merry bond,” he incorporates an oxymoron, as a bond which legalises murder is hardly merry. Ultimately, the bond is a symbol which encompasses Shylock’s revenge and disregard for Antonio’s life, which coincides with the Elizabethan myth of Jews being barbaric enough to practice ritual murder. Shylock’s jest is virtually absent later in the play, as he demands, “I’ll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak … I’ll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool… I will have my bond.” Through pairing anaphora with the imperative mood of the verb “I will,” the playwright utilises Shylock’s ire-filled monologue to solidify him as a bloodthirsty Machiavellian adamant to receive justice and witness Antonio suffer. Comparatively, Shakespeare contrasts Shylock against Portia, who is indirectly introduced at the start of the play through Bassanio as, “a lady richly left, and she is fair, and fairer than that word, of wondrous virtues.” In this line, Bassanio’s hyperbolic language exalts Portia as a paragon of Renaissance womanhood in whom the classical graces of beauty, chastity and passion are perfectly balanced and combined. However, the fact is she “left” implies that Portia is abandoned and vulnerable in the patriarchal society, with a fortune coveted by many suitors. By the climax, however, Portia subverts such assumptions by crossdressing as a lawyer to save Antonio, in which the dramatist juxtaposes Portia against the men she is subservient to, but less capable. Portia exercises her intelligence in the monologue, “The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven… it is enthroned in the hearts of kings, it is an attribute of God.” Portia instills her argument with ethos and religious imagery to prove that “mercy is above” the law of common men as it is “in the hearts of kings” who have a Divine Right to rule; hence, “it is an attribute to God himself” which even a Jew must respect. Evidently, the dramatist skillfully depicts the disparities in these opposing individual experiences before revealing their similarities.

By exposing the dualities of these multifaceted characters, Shakespeare is able to establish their collective human experience. Throughout MOV, casual abuse is shown towards Shylock by constantly referring to him by the vocative “the Jew,” which completely dehumanises and alienates him from Venetian society. Furthermore, a large array of deprecatory nouns and adjectives are added before this, to augment how uncivilised and subhuman Shylock is from a Christian perspective, including, “dog,” “villain,” “faithless,” “currish,” and “harsh.” Moreover, Antonio expresses the highly discriminatory line, “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness is like a villain with a smiling cheek, a goodly apple rotten at the heart.” By religiously alluding to “the devil,” Antonio  explicitly personifies Shylock as the figure of true evil. Moreover, the juxtaposition of light and dark imagery, shown through “holy witness” and “evil soul,” makes the rigid hierarchy between Christianity and Judaism in Renaissance Italy apparent to modern audiences. However, these acts of prejudice are paradoxical to this group’s collective human experience, as they do not agree with the quality of mercy, which is inherent to Christianity. Shylock’s situation particularly appeals to modern responders due to minimal tolerance towards racism, yet, perhaps the dramatist intends to mock his contemporary audience’s values through this irony.  Although Shylock is solely accused of conspiring to trap “good Antonio,” his villainous actions can be equated with Portia’s in the climactic trial scene, which illustrates their shared human experience. Portia carefully plots her attack against the Jew by waiting until the final moment before revealing the flaw in the bond, “Take thou thy pound of flesh, but in the cutting it, if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are … confiscate.” Rather than employing the imperative, Portia issues this line with conditional language and an ironic politeness to mark a poignant moment of peripeteia. Moreover, by deliberately prolonging the trial and repeatedly giving Shylock the chance to forfeit beforehand, the Bard’s nuanced storytelling highlights Portia’s cruelty as she intentionally exacerbates his humiliation. Despite appealing to audiences across time as a heroine by saving Antonio and challenging Tudor gender roles, the playwright evokes a strong sense of irony by exposing Portia’s paradoxical actions, as Shylock is shown little mercy despite it previously being so earnestly endorsed. His punishment is ruthless as it thieves him of everything he cares for; his family and his religious identity, and has worked tirelessly for; his wealth and status. Ultimately, Shakespeare deliberately creates a sense of ambiguity at the play’s conclusion, allowing audiences for four-hundred years to dispute whether the Jew is a villain or a victim of his context, and whether Portia really is an empowering heroine or a hypocritical racist.

Through challenging perceptions of Portia and Shylock’s individual experiences, Shakespeare’s efficacious storytelling in MOV allows audiences to realise that it is these inconsistencies which connects all humans to forge a universal human experience.

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