Antonio hating on Jews

Devon Pollock

Portfolio B

In the opening scene of act 4, Shakespeare uses examples from nature to display Antonio’s close-minded belief that it is only natural for all Jews to be ruthless, unforgivingpeople, which perpetuates the negative stereotypes placed on Jews in Shakespeare’s era. When Bassanio is trying to argue with Shylock to have him forget the bond, Antonio stops Bassanio to say, “I pray you think you question with the Jew/…  You may as well use question with the wolf/ Why he has made the ewe bleat for the lamb” (4.1.70-74). Antonio is saying that there is nothing Bassanio can do because arguing with Shylock is useless since he is a devilish personwho cannot be persuaded into doing the right things. Antonio’s specific choice of comparing arguing with Shylock to questioning the wolf “why he has made the ewe bleat for the lamb”, depicts Shylock as bloody thirsty animal, the wolf, while Christians like Antonio are just innocent, loveable lambs. This carries on the theme of Christianity being the respected religion while no respect is given to any Jewish faith. Antonio continues with his nature similes byadding,  “You may as well forbid the mountain pines/ To wag their high tops and to make no noise” (4.1.75-76). This statement continues with Antonio’s idea that it is simply natural for Jews to be evil. It is part of nature for the leaves to respond to the wind and move, and using this example conveys the message that it would be uncharacteristic for Shylock to forgive andspare the Christian. This simile maintains the unfavorable view of Jews that has shadowed the whole play. Antonio ends his dialogue with tell Bassanio, “You may as well do anything most/ As seek to soften that- than which is harder?-/ His Jewish heart.” (4.1.78-80). Antonio claims that there is nothing more impossible than to soften “his Jewish heart”.  Comparing those incredibly hard tasks to the hardness of Shylock’s heart shows the intense hatred Antonio feels for Shylock and his religion. In the end it shows the irony that this Christian exclaims that there is nothing harder than a Jewish heart yet he doesn’t see that the reason Shylocks heart washarden was from the mistreatment Shylock received his whole life from him and Christians.

Shylock Getting Some Revenge on My Boy Antonio

Bryce Huerta
10/25/14
Portfolio B - Option 3: Shylock's Monologue

William Shakespeare uses clever imagery and subtle similes throughout Shylock's soliloquy to convey Shylock's pure hatred of Antonio.  When asked by the Duke whether Antonio's punishment is needed, Shylock responds with a well executed speech.  His first actual response to the Duke's questioning is, "I'll not answer that, / But say it is my houmour?" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 41-42).  Shylock right away indicates that he will not, in fact, be giving, a logical answer for this desire, but instead replies that his state of mind, his "houmour," is encouraged to do so.  Shylock then provides a key image to aid in this explanation, saying; "What if my house be troubled with a rat / And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats / to have it baned? / What, are you not answered yet?" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 43-45).  Here, Shylock begins his animal comparisons, comparing Antonio to "a rat" that he has a certain obsession with destroying.  He then questions the Duke, "have I not answered you," to provide a rhetorical segue into his next set of images, proceeding to say, "Some men there are love not a gaping pig, / Some men are mad if they behold a cat, / And others when the bagpipe sings i'th'nose / Cannot contain their urine" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 46-49).  Shylock introduces these petty distastes for various objects to set a less intense image of hate, even almost being funny with the "bagpipe" joke.  Each object is in its own way random, as some men hate these object simply because they dislike them.  Shylock dehumanizes Antonio by comparing his disdain for him to the unprovoked anger some have for rats, pigs, cats, or bagpipes.  Only the pig seems connect to Shylock, as he cannot eat pork due to his religion.  Later, Shylock concludes, "Now, for your answer: / As there is no firm reason to be rendered..." (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 52-55).  Shylock in this section reiterates his previously established "petty hate" and its lack of a logical motive to ultimately state his final point, when he tells "So can I give no reason, nor will I not, / More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing / I bear Antonio...Are you answered?" (Act IV. Scene 1. Lines 58-61).  Shylock finally reveals his true motive; he wants to see Antonio suffer.  Shylock before this soliloquy has indicated some reasons for hating Antonio, such as having been spit on by Antonio or facing general anti-Semitism from this merchant, but during this speech, he only cites an arbitrary hatred of Antonio as his reason for wanting the pound of flesh.  Shylock then caps this speech by emphatically asking "are you answered" to reinforce what he has spoken.  Through this very precise and targeted rant from Shylock, Shakespeare reveals Shylock's horrifyingly deep level of disgust for Antonio and his unstoppable motivation to destroy him.