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The Merchant of Venice: Act 1


            The Merchant of Venice: Act 1 Scene 3.
             How does Shakespeare employ stereotyping in his depiction of Shylock? Has Shylock reason to be antipathetic towards Antonio? Give quotations to support you observations.
             In Shylock Shakespeare has created a character that has many of the characteristics of a stereotypical Jewish person. In Act 1 Sc 3 we learn that Shylock's appearance is one of your stereotypical Jew of the time, he has a beard and wears Jewish dress. Shakespeare also makes Shylock to be an evil and conniving man who hides his real side from others- this is evident when Shylock privately addresses the audience and says:.
             "I hate him for he is a Christian;.
             But more, for that in low simplicity.
             He lends money gratis, and brings down.
             The rate of usance here with us in Venice"- Act 1 Sc 3 ln34-37.
             This passage also makes evident another stereotypical characteristic of Jews; miserliness.
             From reading Act1 Sc3 it is evident that Shylock has in the past been treated badly by Antonio;.
             "Signor Antonio, many a time and oft.
             In the Rialto you have rated me.
             About my monies and my usances.
             Still have I borne it with a patient shrug.
             For suff"rance is the badge of all our tribe.
             You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog.
             And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,".
             Shylock-Act1 Sc3 ln99-104.
             From this quote it can be gathered that Shylock has had to suffer racial slurs and public humiliation at the hands of Antonio. So from this it is fair to say that Shylock has as much reason as any man to be antipathetic towards Antonio. Shylock in fact has the fuel to fire a hate for the man. .
            


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