Write the character sketch of Shylock.
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Shylock is one of the main characters in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, a Jewish merchant living in a predominantly Christian environment. As the merchant, he exemplifies many negative character traits that we abhor in others and in ourselves: greed, jealousy and vengeance. Shylock's life revolves around money. In fact, he has a reputation for charging too much interest on loans.
We can find clues to Shylock's tragic character through his monologues, which reveal his innermost thoughts. Amonologue is a speech an actor or comedian gives to an audience. For example, Shylock shows his true colors in this monologue in Act I of The Merchant of Venice, as he describes his enemy Antonio, a rival merchant.
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.