Shylock:Victim Or Villain?

  Whether Shylock's role is that of a victim or a villain is one of the most debated topics in Merchant of Venice. Although most casual readers would agree that Shylock is the primary villain in Merchant of Venice, as well as an "evil" person, a more in-depth and analytically reading would reveal more positive aspects of Shylock's character, such as his obsession for Jessica, as well as hint at some reasons for Shylock's behaviour, and to this day no consensus had ever be reached on whether he is a victim or a villain, but all will agree that he is the most noteworthy character in Merchant of Venice.
  In Merchant of Venice, Shylock is portrayed as a classic Jew in the anti-Semitic context during the Elizabethan times. He is caricatured as miserly, greedy, evil, mad, and selfish - the classic Jewish stereotype. However, he is not merely a two-dimensioned character, but rather have more human qualities than the classic villain.
  Firstly, Shylock's behavior is a result of the circumstances he is in as one of the persecuted minority-Jews. Suffering from abuse and insults from the Christians, especially Antonio, who threatens his business, and mock him, even in times of vulnerability, such as when Jessica eloped with Lorenzo.
  Shylock's villainy is also apparently taught to him by the Christians, making his desire for revenge natural, as shown when Shylock said, "The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction." Also, he lost everything he had at the end to Christian; his property, his money, his valued ring from his wife, his daughter, even his religion. Under this kind of suffering, Shylock's villainy attributes seem only natural when viewed through his eyes.
  However, Shylock's cruel nature could not be blithely overlooked either. Although Antonio shows some mercy in the sentencing of Shylock, Shylock refuses even to have medical treatment standing by for Antonio. Also, Shylock curbs the will of his daughter, Jessica, much like how Portia's father curbs her will, but minus the good intent, as he refuse to approve the marriage between Jessica and Lorenzo because Lorenzo is a Christian, despite the true love between them.
  Shylock mistreats his servant, Lancelot Gobbo, as well, by starving him and insulting him, leading Lancelot Gobbo to call him "the very devil incarnate" and him calling Lancelot Gobbo "that fool of Hagar's offspring". Also, Shylock is conniving as well, as he scheme to kill Antonio by pretending to be magnanimous, shown when he says, "To buy his favor, I extend this friendship: If he will take it, so; If not, adieu;".
  Depicted in both positive and negative lights for modern theatergoers, the true nature of Shylock is controversial to this day, and it would be up to the individual reader and theatergoer to decide on Shylock's true face.