Merchant of Venice Outline Essay

In the play The Merchant of Venice Shylock, a rich Jewish moneylender in Venice agrees to loan Bassanio three thousand ducats on Antonio’s guarantee. Shylock is made to be the villain in the Merchant of Venice because of some of the things he does. But even though he may not have been the only one in the wrong, he is still guilty of the deadly sins of, avarice, envy, and wrath. Shylock is guilty of avarice for these reasons; for one Shylock loans money to Antonio at the cost of a pound of flesh if Antonio does not pay him back. Shylock knows that Antonio will not be able to pay him back, so that is why he chose a pound of flesh as punishment. Secondly Shylock does not work for wealth, instead he loans out money with very high rates of interest and makes money that way. Lastly the fact that Shylock is based upon greed. For example when his daughter Jessica runs away taking his money and jewels he was only angered at losing his money but not his daughter. Shylock is guilty of envy for these reasons; for one Antonio lends out money with little to no interest while shylock lends out money with very high interest so it makes Shylock’s business go down. Secondly, when in court Portia led Shylock to believe that he was going to be able to take a pound of flesh from Antonio, so Shylock was happy that he was going to be able to hurt Antonio and get his revenge. Shylock is guilty of wrath for these reasons; one as a Jew, Shylock has great disdain for Christians and that is why he agreed to the loan of money to Antonio, so that he could get a Christian to pay for the mistreatment he claims he has been given. Secondly, when Shylock was in court and the proceedings did not go his way he began to get angry. Lastly when Shylock became enraged because his possessions were stolen by his daughter, instead of trying to see the real reason why his daughter did what she did. So in the end there are many ways to prove Shylock a bad person. Whether it be that he is full of greed or just out to get revenge, Shylock is still guilty. But even though he may not be the only one in the wrong, he is still guilty of the deadly sins of, avarice, envy, and wrath.