Sympathizing With Shylock At The End Of Act 4 in William...

Sympathizing With Shylock At The End Of Act 4 in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice Throughout The Merchant of Venice the extent to which the reader sympathises with Shylock is constantly adjusted, formed by the most recent facts and circumstances learned of. After only a few words the impression given of Shylock is one of a sly, cunning, suspicious man; he openly admits (to the reader/viewer) that he hates Antonio for he is a Christian. We then learn of possible justification for this view and yet Shylock still agrees to lend him the all of the requested money. After this, Shylock loses a servant (to a Christian) then loses much of his money with his only daughter (again to a Christian),†¦show more content†¦This favour may be seen as a simple gesture of good will, a way for Antonio to become indebted to him (assuming the money is repaid) or, if it is not repaid, the more sinister reason of Shylock wanting Antonio to have to pay the penalty - originally, Shylock claimed, chosen in a merry sport, or in good spirit - a pound of Antonios flesh to be cut ou t at Shylocks choice. The first two of these reasons would add to our sympathy; the third would possibly indicate an almost evil side to a Jew seeking revenge on the people he hates. Shylocks loss of his servant Launcelot to a Christian does not add any great feelings of sympathy towards him, but does perhaps add a bit to the understanding of Shylocks entire anti-Christian attitude, and also possibly indicates that Shylocks household is not an enjoyable place to work. The elopement of his daughter Jessica with a Christian, however, generates mixed emotions. On one hand, Shylock loves her and she is very dear to him; she is arguably the thing he loves most in the world. However, there is evidence to suggest she had good reason to leave. She knew that if she told Shylock of Lorenzo (her Christian lover) he would not allow them ever to meet again, let alone marry. Shylock lives a life based on strict Jewish law and morals; perhaps too strict for Jessica, as shown in Act