Shylock is a character from the classic William Shakespeare play The Merchant of Venice He is a Jewish moneylender who is passed off as one of the antagonists in the play. Shylock is a complex character that serves as a testament to Shakespeare’s unique writing style. He is hated by the society of Venice but he also has moments of poignancy and sympathy that make him an interesting and complex character to explore.
1. Examine the motivations and actions of Shylock throughout the play.
2. Analyze the anti-Semitic portrayal of the Shylock character.
3. Discuss why Shylock’s refusal to accept mercy can be seen as noble.
4. Investigate the ways in which modern audiences might interpret Shylock differently than Elizabethan audiences.
5. Analyze the difficulty of interpreting Shylock’s identity as both a villain and a victim.