Question

do you think shylock is a villan or a tragic figure in the play. base your answer only on the first two acts.(essay)

Answer 1

Shylock can be considered as both a villian and a tragic figure.

**Based on the villanous side of him, it is natural for us,the readers, to consider him to be a villian because of his despicable attitude towards Bassanio and Antonio. In case Antonio doesn't pay back the loan within 3 months, a pound of flesh closest to his heart would be cut off.
That is a very inhumane thing to do indeed.
coming to his daughter, his actions and the atmosphere which prevails in his house is despised by Jessica. She is ashamed to be his daughter because of his hellish cruelty.

**Shylock doesn't deserve all that hate though.
He hates Christians and Antonio specifically due to his behavior towards him. Antonio has insulted Shylock many times in the Rialto, kicked him, called him a misbeliever, spit on his Jewish robe, made his friends cold toward him and his enimies even colder. It is obvious for anybody to hate someone who would disrespect you in such a way.
He does care for his daughter (sort of). He doesn't want her to run away with a Christian and get converted to Christianity.
Shylock can be considered as a normal human being who has been made cruel by certain situations and has turned out to be a tragic figure.