Shylock's Genuine Motivations

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In The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, Shylock inhabits an anti-Semitic society in which he is treated as an inferior and without any esteem. In a response to these social dynamics, Shylock attempts to make an unmerciful statement to the Venetian community. During the trial, when pleaded multiple times by the Antonio and his men, he doesn’t take mercy on Antonio and demands for his bond to be followed and for Antonio to sacrifice a pound of his flesh. Declaring justice as a reason to the jury and to the judge, Shylock prepares to take revenge on Antonio by killing him. Shylock’s actions reveal a lot about his ethical beliefs: that he would go as far as to kill a man in order to get revenge. In addition, Shylock’s actions reveal that he can get so caught up in his anger and so determined about his vengeance that he loses all sense of ethics. However, his motivation to get revenge and kill Antonio is fueled by his desire to be treated equally and respected by the Venetian society. In Act 1, Scene 3, when Shylock and Antonio are discussing their deal, Shylock says, “Fair sir, you spat on me Wednesday last, / You spurn’d me such a day, another time / You call’d me dog”(1.3.121-123). Antonio has treated Shylock very rudely and disrespectfully, even calling him a “dog” because of his religion, and now he is coming to him for money. Shylock uses this bond as an opportunity not only to get revenge against Antonio for all of his wrongdoing, but also to achieve more respect in the Venetian community. In addition, in Act 3, Scene 1, during Shylock’s speech to Solanio and Salarino, he declares, “If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge!”(3.1.60-63). Shylock emotionally explains how he is equal to a Christian, and if Christians can have revenge on Jews for

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