Shylock as Helpless Victim in The Merchant of Venice :: Merchant of Venice Essays

Shylock as Helpless dupe in The merchant of Venice In 1594 the Earl of Essex, an English Nobleman who lived during the Elizabethan occlusive in England, was actively involved in the persecution and trials of Roderigo Lopez. Lopez was a Jew of Portuguese descent, who was incorrectly accused of attempting to poison the Queen of England. Lopez, being the Queens royal physician, was in no position to defend himself once he was accused. Essex, who provided the evidence also presided everyplace the trial of Lopez, leaving Lopez little chance of survival. The innocent Jew was hanged, drawn, and quartered in Tyburn, England for whole to witness. The story of Roderigo Lopez is similar to the story of Shylock, although, Palmer tells us It is not suggested that Shakespeare in characterization Shylock, had any political or social intentions ( 112-13). Both Jews were placed in time where anti-Semitism was in fashion (Palmer 113), and both thrown into philander where they woul d be tried unjustly. The story of Roderigo Lopez sets the tone for The Merchant of Venice. Lopez incident occurred in 1594, The Merchant of Venice was written only two years later. Anti-Semitism was customary during Shakespeares time, and therefore we must understand that it was as easy for him to perform a Jewish man the villain as it would be for us to make a Nazi the villain. According to Sylvan Barnet The Merchant of Venice shows the broad delimitate of a comedy (not merely a play with jests, but a play that ends happily). . . the villain in the comedy must be just villainous, or, rather, comically villainous he cannot for a moment summation the audiences kind-heartedness (1). Shylock has often been portrayed as the villain in The Merchant of Venice. From being more concerned with his ducats rather than his daughter, to demanding his pound of flesh, Shylock fits short into the mold of the villain. However, with reference to Barnets comment he cannot for a mome nt gain the audiences sympathy (1), Shylock oversteps the boundaries of his villainous character. The audience cannot and would not have root for Shylock during Shakespeares lifetime, yet, now we do. Shylock is merely a victim of anti-Semitism.