Give a character sketch on the shylock
Answers
Shylock is a Jew who lends money to his Christian rival Antonio, setting the security at a pound of Antonio's flesh. When a bankrupt Antonio defaults on the loan, Shylock demands the pound of flesh. This decision is fuelled by his sense of revenge, for Antonio had previously insulted, physically assaulted and spat on him in the Rialto (stock exchange of Venice) dozens of times, defiled the "sacred" Jewish religion and had also inflicted massive financial losses on him. Meanwhile, Shylock's daughter, Jessica, falls in love with Antonio's friend Lorenzo and converts to Christianity, leaves Shylock's house and steals vast riches from him, which adds to Shylock's rage and hardens his resolve for revenge. In the end – due to the efforts of Antonio's well-wisher, Portia – Shylock is charged with attempted murder of a Christian, carrying a possible death penalty, and Antonio is freed without punishment. Shylock is then ordered to surrender half of his wealth and property to the state and the other half to Antonio. However, as an act of "mercy", Antonio modifies the verdict, asking Shylock to hand over only one-half of his wealth – to him (Antonio) for his own as well as Lorenzo's need – provided that he keeps two promises. First, Shylock has to sign an agreement bequeathing all his remaining property to Lorenzo and Jessica, which is to become effective after his demise, and second, he is to immediately convert to Christianity. Shylock is forced to agree to these terms, and he exits citing illness.
hope it helps you
mark as a brainlist please. . . . .
Shylock is the most prominent character in the play The Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare. He appears in ACT IV much of the interest in the drama subsides. He is a Jew who lends money of high interest rate. Though he is victim of the play yet he has something in him which wins our sympathy. Some traits of his character are as follows-
As a Miser:- Shylock is a miser by nature. The main aim of his life to collect money. He loves his money more than his daughter. When his daughter runs away with his gold and jewels , he laments more for his money that for his daughter.
Merciless Man:- Shylock has no mercy in his heart. He shows no mercy to those who borrow money from him. He take back his money with great cruelty. He shows no mercy to Antonio who fails to pay his money on due date. Though all the respected man of Venice requested him yet he does not move to show any sympathy or leave his claim.
Typical Jew:- Shylock is a typical Jew. He is the representative of his community. He always addresses him as Jew than Shylock. He wears Jewis cloths and takes Jewis oaths. He does not like Christians and loves his community at core of his heart.
As a Miser:- Shylock is a great usurer in the play. He lends money on charging high interest of rate. He is always seen waiting for the victim to be in his grip. Because of his this nature, he hates Antonio who brings down the rate of interest in the market.
A Wise and Intelligent Man:- Shylock is very wise and intelligent man. He always shows his wisdom and fore sightedness in his decision. He is a so wise that he puts his case in the trial scene in a logical way like a lawyer. Thus the whole scene represents with an intelligent.
Conclusion:- In brief these are some qualities of Shylock's character which makes him the different figure in the drama. Overall he his representative of this community and able to win our sympathy in the last.