Shylock is both a villain and a victim

I want to write about how Shylock is both a villain and a victim. I feel, personally, that one of my best characteristics is to be able to be understanding of people’s perspective. In this Shylock’s case, I feel that he may be a victim of his surroundings or the way he was brought up from a child. However, I believe that everyone can choose between right or wrong as free-will. We know that we cannot control some of the things that happens to us, but we can control how we react to them. I can sympathize with Shylock’s frustration about not being repaid in a timely manner. Some people will go out of their way to talk to you for a favor and can’t even return the favor. Although there was not definite date for the promised debt to be paid off, Shylock took measures to an extreme.  What makes Shylock a villain is when he seems happy about killing Antonio, [Shylock to Tubal] “I am very glad of it: I’ll plague him; I’ll torture him: I am glad of it,” (Shakespeare 1) and also when he decided that he rather take a pound of flesh than be repaid in twice the amount of money that was due to him.

After reviewing Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” I do not believe that Shakespeare’s intent was to only list Shylock as a bad guy. There are plenty acts from characters that were not as righteous as they could have been. I support people having their own religious views, however, I do not support people trying to force their views onto someone without consent.