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Joshua Boyles 12:38:18 3/15/97
Any one who would presume to behave toward another according to his deserts, Hamlet says, cannot
be generous. But a court's business is judgment and the query was if Shylock received from the
Venetian court the justice he deserved. Let some of the protagonists supply an opinion:Shylock: He says that he is 'content'. But can he be when he is to be forcibly baptized and his moneys
taken from him? It is my understanding that having his wealth delivered to his only heir is precisely what
an ailing father would want and indeed I think that the whole maneuver was for that purpose. However
the conversion must be a punishment. It is an interference with the soul, that a Jew - any one, could not
want. However, there is evidence that Shylock in his mind is prepared even for such a calamity. It is
when Bassanio brings Antonio before Shylock so that he is enabled to launch his desperately conceived
contract for entry into the State courts. Shylock says, " He will do," but he never - the - less, first
interrogates Antonio. Shylock knows that what he has in mind for Antonio, an old man like himself,
although not physically harmful will be uncomfortable and very scary. Although he feels rancor for the
man, seemingly on economic grounds, he yet hesitates before subjecting him to his plan, asking him
about their relationship. Antonio replies that he will remain his enemy and continue to spit upon him as
before. Only then does Shylock proceed. However that pause is the acknowledgment by Shylock that he
may be guilty before God and subject to His judgment according to the well known rabbinical concept
of 'measure for measure'. (a concept perfectly known by Shakespeare who wrote a play with just its
motive and title) So that just as he has manipulated Antonio now he in turn is manipulated.Jessica: She asks "what heinous sin is it in me / To be ashamed to be my father's child" She is not, as
supposed in simplistic interpretations, complaining about her father's character but about her Jewish
destiny which is to be constantly made to feel ashamed of herself supposedly because of her forebear's
"heinous sin" of the crucifixion. For Shylock she cannot but feel the deepest gratitude for arranging her
well-funded departure and pulling off the scheme that will give her the standing of a dowered bride.
However, the judgment according to her words will not seem with-out advantage. She is ready to
convert.Antonio: Not only relief but wealth and power is restored him, but not wisdom. For is it not merely to
triumph over the Jew that he requires his 'devilish' soul for Christendom? Nor is he unwilling to profit by
the judgment despite his stand on usury.Salerio and Solanio: These two must have the greatest regrets since they lose not only a butt for their
intrigues but a source for their gain They are the agents of the state that Shylock has finally succeeded in
evading. He has tried, time and again to mislead them, as for example when they are made to hear his
loud hallowing, "My daughter ! O my ducats" in order that they be convinced of his impoverishment.
Shylock has suffered greatly from them and calls them thieves. Lancelot tells us what their names recall,
"Sola!" hunters while Sela in Hebrew is a coin. If we use an Elizabethan prompt book convention for
the s of Solanio, a Hebrew meaning can be found: 'his hardship of his poverty'. The sal of Salario can
be 'a basket' in Hebew while l'ari-o is 'to his lion', which is the emblem of Venice."Everything is given on pledge, and a net is spread for all the living;
the shop is open the dealer gives credit, the ledger lies open, the hand writes, and
whosoever wishes to borrow may come and borrow. But the collectors regularly make their daily round
and exact payment from man, whether he be content or not; and they have whereon they can rely in
their demand. The judgment is a judgment of truth, and everything is prepared for the feast"
Rabbi Akiva, Aboth III.Tubal: He gave his passive assent to Shylock's plan and must feel relieved that it did not result in an anti-
Jewish riot.The Audience: There may even be those who believed that they were about to see the enactment of a
ritual slaying. Lancelot, alone on the stage, calls the audience "hard" and "devilish" all but "saving your
reverence". But I wonder if he was not too generous? How many reverent souls have ever heeded
Shakespeare's illumination imagery? After four hundred years the audience has still not seen through
Shylock's subterfuge. It is still debating upon how much kindness to grant the Jew. Lancelot might well
add to his string of epithets the word, "stupid".Lancelot: He alone has the right regrets. His master has sent him to a rich establishment while yet he
could and so he feels compassion for his lonely demise.Myself : I would want Shylock's life to end before the arrival of the inquisitioner and his font.
Posted by Florence Amit on March 23, 1997 at 11:30:16
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