Shylock should be Pitied or Condemed - 1663 Words

Shylock is a man more to be pitied then condemned. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Be sure to refer to details of the play in your response. In the historic play â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† written by William Shakespeare, Shylock is one of the main characters who I have great pity for. Therefore I agree with the above statement that Shylock should be more pitied than condemned. Throughout the play we see Shylock involved in many different incidences and it is unknown whether he is a victim or a villain in most cases. Shakespeare leads me to make a final conclusion by showing me different incidents that Shylock is involved in the play. Shakespeare helps me to gather this conclusion through the use of many different literary†¦show more content†¦Jessica is not the obedient daughter that Shylocks take her for. In Act two Scene three, Jessica is seen talking to Launcelot, secretly telling him that she plans to become a Christian like Lorenzo and will become Lorenzo’s wife. This is very disrespectful to me because it’s a horrible thing to go behind your fathe’rs back. I find this to be ve ry harsh because Shylock invested all that he had in her so wonder how he felt when he had found this out. Although her diction reveals that, she feels some type of guilt, â€Å"Alack, what heinous sin is it in me to be ashamed to be my father’s child†, Jessica rejects her father, his way of life, his religion and stole a great deal of his wealth. Once again let’s think about the pain that Shylock must have went through. In Act two Scene five we see Jessica giving a final goodbye to her father as she speaks to herself, â€Å"Farewell, and if my fortune be not crossed, I have a father, you a daughter lost†. Here Jessica sadly says these words of betrayal to the back of her father who had just gave her orders to close up the house. Jessica also took Shylock’s most valuable possession, his late wife turquoise ring, and bought a monkey, Shylock was hurt by this the most,† Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal: it was my turquoise; I had it of Le ah when I was a bachelor. I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.† The image of a broken Shylock walking the streets of Venice crying out loud, â€Å"Oh my