Shylock: A victim or a villain?
Sample Exam Question:
How is Shylock portrayed in the play that makes you sympathise him?
Similar Questions:
What does Shakespeare’s writing make you feel about Shylock in the play?
In what ways Shylock is portrayed as a victim in the play?
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Sample Answer:
Introduction (Provide a brief introduction to the scenario of question)
- Many at times, a person who commits a wrongdoing may not necessarily be the villain.
- Likewise, a person who often carries out good deeds may not necessarily be the noble person.
- It is up to the individual to listen closely and identify with him before determining the victim and the villain.
- In the story Merchant of Venice, Shylock who demanded the pound of flesh may seem like a villain, but taking a closer look, he was also victimised by the community.
Introduction (Provide a brief introduction to the scenario of question)
- Many at times, a person who commits a wrongdoing may not necessarily be the villain.
- Likewise, a person who often carries out good deeds may not necessarily be the noble person.
- It is up to the individual to listen closely and identify with him before determining the victim and the villain.
- In the story Merchant of Venice, Shylock who demanded the pound of flesh may seem like a villain, but taking a closer look, he was also victimised by the community.
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Content (Provide evidence to support points)
Points & Evidence 1
- Shylock was insulted because of his moneylending business practices in Rialto that charges interest.
- Yet, he just shrugged and put up with it.
- He was spat on his "Jewish gaberdine" and kicked like how Antonio would kick a stray mutt.
- He was laughed at his losses, made fun of his earnings, humiliated his race, thwarted his deals, turned his friends against him and riled up his enemies.
- It would be an insult for Shylock to forgive Antonio.
- Collecting interest was his way of making a living but instead he was victimised because of who he was - a Jew.
- Believing that a Jew is a human being the same as a Christian, with "eyes, hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions" that are the same and is hurt, "subject to the same diseases" and "healed by the same means".
- Like a Christian, a Jew bleeds if pricked and since a Christian always revenges any wrong received from a Jew, Shylock would follow this example, and they should be lucky if he did not outdo his teachers as "the villainy" he was taught "he will execute".
- His demand for the pound of flesh was all out of anger, annoyance and hatred to "bait fish withal" and feed his revenge.
Points & Evidence 2
- Apart from the whole community being against him, Shylock's own daughter, his own "flesh and blood" Jessica also turned against him.
- She eloped with a Christian and took his ducats along with his jewels.
- She had stolen a diamond that cost Shylock two thousand ducats in Frankfurt and made him lose "two thousand ducats in that, and other precious jewels".
- Jessica even exchanged Shylock's turquoise ring for a monkey and spent eighty ducats in Genoa one night.
- This was like sticking a dagger at Shylock until he wished that she were in her coffin with the ducats in it and dead at his feet wearing those jewels.
- Not only the community was against him but his own family member also turned against him, fueling his desire for revenge.
Points & Evidence 1
- Shylock was insulted because of his moneylending business practices in Rialto that charges interest.
- Yet, he just shrugged and put up with it.
- He was spat on his "Jewish gaberdine" and kicked like how Antonio would kick a stray mutt.
- He was laughed at his losses, made fun of his earnings, humiliated his race, thwarted his deals, turned his friends against him and riled up his enemies.
- It would be an insult for Shylock to forgive Antonio.
- Collecting interest was his way of making a living but instead he was victimised because of who he was - a Jew.
- Believing that a Jew is a human being the same as a Christian, with "eyes, hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions" that are the same and is hurt, "subject to the same diseases" and "healed by the same means".
- Like a Christian, a Jew bleeds if pricked and since a Christian always revenges any wrong received from a Jew, Shylock would follow this example, and they should be lucky if he did not outdo his teachers as "the villainy" he was taught "he will execute".
- His demand for the pound of flesh was all out of anger, annoyance and hatred to "bait fish withal" and feed his revenge.
Points & Evidence 2
- Apart from the whole community being against him, Shylock's own daughter, his own "flesh and blood" Jessica also turned against him.
- She eloped with a Christian and took his ducats along with his jewels.
- She had stolen a diamond that cost Shylock two thousand ducats in Frankfurt and made him lose "two thousand ducats in that, and other precious jewels".
- Jessica even exchanged Shylock's turquoise ring for a monkey and spent eighty ducats in Genoa one night.
- This was like sticking a dagger at Shylock until he wished that she were in her coffin with the ducats in it and dead at his feet wearing those jewels.
- Not only the community was against him but his own family member also turned against him, fueling his desire for revenge.
Conclusion (Provide a brief summary to wrap up your points and tell your stand)
- Shylock is basically an ordinary person going on with a normal life in a Christian community.
- When he is mocked as an ordinary human being, it is natural for him to react.
- After getting the upper hand at the court case initially, he took full advantage of it.
- Yet, he was ultimately defeated and was forced to take up the religion of the people who victimised him.
- Experiencing much pain and insult, Shylock is, in one point of view, a victim who at times deserve sympathy and forgiveness.
- Shylock is basically an ordinary person going on with a normal life in a Christian community.
- When he is mocked as an ordinary human being, it is natural for him to react.
- After getting the upper hand at the court case initially, he took full advantage of it.
- Yet, he was ultimately defeated and was forced to take up the religion of the people who victimised him.
- Experiencing much pain and insult, Shylock is, in one point of view, a victim who at times deserve sympathy and forgiveness.
Answering Techniques:
- The answer (points and content) above can be used for all questions related the scenario mentioned.
- It is vital to provide connecting sentence to link to the evidence above.
- Include direct evidence from the text to have additional bonus impression to show understanding of the text
- Always keep in mind the following when answering all questions:
- Write as fast as you can as every second saved will give you more time to think and plan for the subsequent questions.
- Always read your answer again to check for grammatical errors and never misspell the name of characters or places.
- The answer (points and content) above can be used for all questions related the scenario mentioned.
- It is vital to provide connecting sentence to link to the evidence above.
- Include direct evidence from the text to have additional bonus impression to show understanding of the text
- Always keep in mind the following when answering all questions:
- Show in-depth understanding of the setting, plot, character, themes, messages and universal issues in texts.
- Analyse and evaluate the use of language, style and tone in prose.
- Show individuality and insight through a perceptive personal response with reference to texts.
- Produce well-planned creative works independently with precise textual evidence.
- Demonstrate knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text skillfully and with flair
- Sustain a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight
- Respond sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer achieves his/her effects
- Sustain personal and evaluative engagement with task and text
- Write as fast as you can as every second saved will give you more time to think and plan for the subsequent questions.
- Always read your answer again to check for grammatical errors and never misspell the name of characters or places.
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