Critical Essay the Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare -...

Critical Essay: ‘The Merchant of Venice’ - Shylock Character Study Shakespeare’s play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ starts off in Venice with Shylock as a simple money lender. His intentions seem reasonable to begin with, he sounds a nice man then he does a soliloquy saying how much hatred he has for Antonio, the Christian who treated him disrespectfully. Shylock conflicts his emotions again and speaks to Antonio in a joking manner which in his mind turns out to be the truth. In the play Shylock is a Jewish usurer who lends money to Bassanio he can go to Belmont and win over Portia. Antonio agrees to pay back the three thousand ducats for Bassanio when his Merchant ships arrive back in Venice. Shylock agrees to this with the†¦show more content†¦Of course Shylock does not listen is still not forfeiting his bond decides to act as if she is with Shylock on the bond and is allowing him to do it until she has a popsition: ‘Tarry a little; there is something else: This bond doth thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are ’a pound of flesh’; Take then thy bond, take thy pound if flesh..’ Portia makes the statement so as Shylock has no option but to give in to the bond. She makes it an impossibility ti achieve to get a pound of flesh as he is not allowed to let a drop of Antonio’s blood spill or all his lands and goods will be confiscated. Now Shylock is willing to take the offer of money but Portia stands her ground because Shylock started off determined so she wants to continue with his initial request. Eventually Portia allows Shylock not to go forth with the bond but with consequences that do not involve the exchanging of more money. The duke shows mercy: the state will not take half Shylocs money but will merely fine him. Antonio is willing to forget the fine as long as other consequences are allowed to go forward: ‘So please my lord the duke and all the court To quit the fine for one half of his goods, I am content..’ In this speech, Antonio defines what he would like to happen. Instead of the bond, Shylock has to give half of his wealth