How does shylock see himself

Yet because of his friend Bassanio's pressing need, Antonio is willing to break this rule. The term of the loan will be for three months, and Antonio will give his bond as security. While Bassanio and Antonio are waiting to learn the rate of interest which Shylock will charge for the loan, Shylock digresses. He tells them about the biblical story of how Jacob increased his herd of sheep. He calculates the interest which he will charge and announces: "Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate.

And now Antonio and Bassanio come asking him for money. Yet they pride themselves that Antonio is a virtuous man because he lends money to friends, with no interest involved. Is this loan, Shylock inquires, a loan to be arranged among "friends"? On the contrary; this is not to be regarded as a loan between friends, Antonio asserts. In fact, Antonio says, Shylock may regard it as a loan to an enemy if he wishes. Then, surprisingly, Shylock says that he wants Antonio's friendship, and to prove it, he will advance the loan without charging a penny of interest.

But in order to make this transaction "a merry sport," Shylock wants a penalty clause providing that if Antonio fails to repay the loan within the specified time, Shylock will have the right to cut a "pound of flesh" from any part of Antonio's body.

Bassanio objects to his friend's placing himself in such danger for his sake, but Antonio assures him that long before the loan is due that some of his ships will return from abroad and that he will be able to repay the loan three times over. Shylock insists, at this point, that the penalty is merely a jest. He could gain nothing by exacting the forfeit of a pound of human flesh, which is not even as valuable as mutton or beef.

But, by looking at it from an alternative perspective, one can see that Shylock may have been acting as a father, giving a reason for Jessica to lock the house and make sure she is safe while he is away.

This was a great way to play on the stereotype of Jewish people mostly taking their possessions into consideration: by blurring the boundaries between the two possible intentions of his words through the use of anti semitism at the time. Share this: Twitter Facebook.

Like this: Like Loading Next To a Coy Debate Partner. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:. At this point we might feel some sympathy for Shylock because he has lost something of sentimental value.

He talks passionately about what makes us human. Fish bait. Which things does he mention that are the same for all human beings? We all have the same bodies and feelings. We eat, get ill, feel pain, bleed, and die. We take revenge when done wrong. Shylock previous. I hate him for he is a Christian;.

But more for that in low simplicity. Arragon, a Spanish prince, completes the parade of nationalities competing for Portia. He lacks the nobility of the prince of Morocco, and his arrogance almost makes us feel that he deserves his punishment. His quick dismissal from the scene clears the way for Bassanio. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Merchant of Venice! SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. How does Bassanio win the right to marry Portia?

Summary Act II, scenes v—ix. Summary: Act II, scene v Shylock warns Launcelot that Bassanio will not be as lenient a master as Shylock himself has been, and that Launcelot will no longer be at liberty to overeat and oversleep. Test your knowledge Take the Act 2, scenes v-ix Quick Quiz. Read a translation Read a translation of Act II, scene v.

Read a translation Read a translation of Act II, scene vi.