Merchant Of Venice Character Analysis - 1027 Words

The characters in The Merchant of Venice teeter between the roles of protagonist and antagonist as Antonio, Shylock, and Portia contend among the unstable lines between that of victim, villain, and hero as the characters reveal their tendencies of schadenfreude behavior which discloses on their true nature -- are they innately evil or are they justly moral? Antonio, the regarded protagonist of the play, and the merchant that is named in the title of The Merchant of Venice is shown as a character who is steadfast and passionate in his endeavors, whether that be in friendship or finance. However, in the play, the audience can see Antonio relenting to the wishes of others as if he is a victim to the world and does not see his own hostility†¦show more content†¦Portia is a resolute and strong character who acts unwaveringly. Nonetheless, the trial is concluded with Portia’s decision as she disguises as a man and judge. This is controversial because Portia has a clear bias toward Antonio as she says â€Å"Which makes me think that this Antonio, Being the bosom lover of my lord, Must needs be like my lord† (3.4.16-18). Portia compares Antonio to her lover Bassanio, and that reveals an apparent bias towards Antonio who she regards in the same respect as â€Å"her lord† Bassanio. Can a trial with such a clear bias be considered just? Additionally, when Portia completely ruins Shylock by taking his land, wealth, and religious belief, she reveals an implicit schadenfreude as shown through her tone when she says â€Å"Soft! The Jew shall have all justice. Soft! No haste! He shall have nothing but the penalty† after informing Shylock about the impossible task of taking the pound of flesh off Antonio without shedding an ounce of blood (4.1.317-318). Portia is taking joy out of mocking Shylock and knowing that Shylock cannot get his desired justice. Through this the audience can infer that Portia is not wholly just or good, but makes decisions on her own self-interests much like the antagonist Shylock. Finally, it is traditionally accepted by the Shakespearean audience that the antagonist of The Merchant of Venice is the Jewish merchant Shylock, whom Shakespeare depicts as cold-hearted andShow MoreRelatedMerchant Of Venice Character Analysis1119 Words   |  5 PagesThe play succeeds because of it’s raw realism. By making none of the characters admirable, it is actually a mirror of society itself. Usually people do have qualities that are not admirable and that it why the play succeeds, because it shows the true characteristics of humans in today’s society. It also shows human characteristics, of humans as a generalization. When evaluating the question of the plays merit, it can be tied back to the same idea. Therefore, the play succeeds in staying true to theRead MoreMerchant Of Venice Shylock Character Analysis762 Words   |  4 PagesThe Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most widely known and controversial comedies. Written in the late 1590s, its ’ controversy stems from the modern mindset between tolerance and prejudice. Shylock, who was â€Å"at once a fabulous monster, the Jew incarnate, and also a troubling human uneasily joined with the monster in an uncanny blend†, is now looked at as a victim in light of the prejudice bestowed upon him now being recognized. Shylock’s character is so stereotypically Jewish that he becomesRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Shylock from The Merchant of Venice469 Words   |  2 PagesWilliam Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice is a classic play that has also brought about some issues revolving around the antagonist of the story Shylock. 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