Question

is Shylock is villain or victim or a combination of both? Discuss..​

Answer 1

Shylock is both a villain and a victim in the story of  "Merchant of Venice"

Explanation:

• As is typical of Shakespeare's characterisation, Shylock is neither a white nor a black character, however a mix, as "real people" are. To an extent, Shylock is both a villain and a victim.
• He has been a victim of Venice's rampant anti-Semitism. We also discover that he was, in fact, a target of Antonio, who doesn't hesitate to overtly taunt and condemn him, and even was rough with him physically. Antonio insults Shylock for the fact that he is a "money-lending Jew" and then comes and comes to him and  expect to get a loan from him. We can clearly imagine how Shylock felt  a "deep sense of injury" at the way was treated.
• However,  maybe too difficult, Shylock fights back. When he gets the upper hand he finds himself as a villain because Antonio can't pay his debt. He insists on cutting away a pound of the flesh of Antonio, almost definitely a "death penalty", which comes across as hard-hearted & merciless .
• Nevertheless, while the audience is delighted that a terrible sacrifice is avoided, the court still deals very severely with Shylock, and we remember once again, that the general hatred against Jews is piling a deck against him.

To know more

Dramatic significant of the opening scene in the merchant of Venice ...

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Answer 2

Answer:

Shylock is both a villain and a victim

Explanation:

Shylock is one of Shakespeare's most memorable characters and can be viewed as both a victim and a villain in the play The Merchant of Venice. As a villain, Shylock is a heartless, cruel money-lender, who is determined to take Antonio's life.

Shylock is the antagonist and a tragic character in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. A Jewish merchant living in a Christian city, he comes across as greedy, jealous and vengeful. As opposed to his anti-Semitic nemesis and fellow businessman, Antonio, Shylock charges interest on his loans.