How to depict two varied emotions at the same time? One bit of news gives you extreme satisfaction and the other wrecks your nerves, both these intimations come at the same time, sending you into a whirlwind of contradicting reactions.
The same is beautifully depicted in Act 3, Scene 1, Merchant of Venice. Shylock, is a complex character. In the first instance, he is the villain of the play. But as you dwell over his reasons, you get a deeper sense of the man. A Jew’s life in those times, was all about getting respect from the society. Jews were abolished from Britain in 1290, and were unwelcome in other countries around the world. Venice, allowed them to live in the same society as Christians, but the welcome was not a pleasant one. The Jews lived in ghettos, and were generally not well respected. Of course many of them were moneylenders, hence people needed to visit them, but the communication was strictly transactional. Many Christians like Antonio would harass them outrightly, sometimes bullying and even resorting to harsh words.
Act 3 Scene 1, shows Shylock as a father, whose daughter has run away with a Christian, taking away all his money and Jewels. A fellow Jew, Tubal, comes to give him much awaited news about his daughter. At the same time, he also delivers news about Antonio’s ships having capsized in the sea. Shylock is exuberant at this news, the forfeiture of his bond, means that Antonio will have to pay Shylock with a pound of his flesh. For Shylock, this is his revenge. When his mind is about to celebrate, Tubal tells him that Jessica, is spending his money recklessly. Money is extremely important to Shylock, perhaps as a means to keep his respect alive in a Christian world. Shakespeare has written the scene cleverly. In one statement, Tubal tells Shylock about Antonio’s ship having befallen into a disaster, the next statement is about his daughter spending fourscore ducats in a single night, for her entertainment. The alternate emotions, his heart tearing at him, whether to celebrate with joy or to moan in pain; Shylock the actor must definitely be played by an excellent artiste. Jessica has exchanged his turquoise ring for a monkey. The thought of the audacity, makes him thunder. We also see a weak moment in an otherwise strong and bitter man. The ring was dear to him, given by his wife, he would not have exchanged it for a wilderness of monkeys.
The more I read the play, Shylock appears as a character with many shades. You cannot paint him black or white, he is distinctly Grey. And only a robust actor can bring out this grey on stage, which will have the audience wondering, who indeed is the true ‘Merchant of Venice’.
