Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Apology For The Character And Conduct Of Shylock.
in that and many preceding ages , the Europeans" were notorious . The scene is laid in Venice . Shylock , the hero of the drama , is represented as an exemplary follower of th ' e law , and as having acquired a considerable property by adhering to that precept which enjoins lending-to the stranger ttpoti usury . ' He excites a case too common in those days " , trie envy and hatred of the Christians among whom he dwells . He is more particularly
injured and insulted by a merchant , named Antonio , and meditates a plan of retaliation , which he pursues with address , perseverance , and resolution . He carries , indeed , his resentment so far , that some persons of weak minds and tender dispositions ,, particularly several of the fair sex , who did not properly reflect oil his various and complicated sufferings , looked upon him at first as rather too violent and obdurate . Those , however , who possessed a stronger understanding ,-and listened with deep attention to the story , neither wondered at his warmth , nor censured his inflexibility , for he is not only grievously
wronged by the merchant , but his only child , the daughter or his ' bosom , whom he most dearly loved , is stolen from him , together ' with an immense treasure , by a young profligate companion of the merchant , and , like him a scoffer at our law and our religion . When Shylock complains of this double robbery , he is ridiculed * by his other libertine associates , and derided by the city at large . These ' scenesin which the father ' s different sensations are delineatedhis
, , rage , grief , paternal tenderness and indignation , are peculiarly interesting , and produced repeated plaudits from the audience . We must conclude that he would have sunk under those distresses , but for the consolation he received from . Antonio ' s having forfeited his bond ; which was to repay Shylock 3000 ducats within a limited time ^ or to allow himin case of failureto cut off a pound of flesh nearest
, , his heart . The money not being repaid at the time appointed , Shylock expects to obtain a signal and glorious revenge , on his own and his people ' s enemy ; to shew the world an example , that a son of Abraham was not to be wronged and trampled on with impunity .
His firmness and patriotic sentiments on this occasion deserve the hig hest commendation . His resentment , though severe , is just ; he had endured irreparable wrongs , and had a right to expect the most exemplary vengeance for their atonement . The law , however , on which he founds his claim , is evaded by shameful sophistry . Shy lock is permitted to take the pound of flesh , but is warned , at the same time , that if he sheds < one drop of Christian blood in
cutting it , his lands and goods are confiscated to the State , by the laws of Venice . ' f But how can we suppose its legislators could have foreseen and obviated the fulfilling of so singular a contract as that between the merchant and Shylock ? That in their great wisdom they should enact a decree , by which a man is allowed to take his creditors forfeiture , yet punished for not performing an impossibility in taking it ? Can we imagine that Shylock's notary could have drawn , or himself have signed a bond , that fairly admitted such an interpre-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Apology For The Character And Conduct Of Shylock.
in that and many preceding ages , the Europeans" were notorious . The scene is laid in Venice . Shylock , the hero of the drama , is represented as an exemplary follower of th ' e law , and as having acquired a considerable property by adhering to that precept which enjoins lending-to the stranger ttpoti usury . ' He excites a case too common in those days " , trie envy and hatred of the Christians among whom he dwells . He is more particularly
injured and insulted by a merchant , named Antonio , and meditates a plan of retaliation , which he pursues with address , perseverance , and resolution . He carries , indeed , his resentment so far , that some persons of weak minds and tender dispositions ,, particularly several of the fair sex , who did not properly reflect oil his various and complicated sufferings , looked upon him at first as rather too violent and obdurate . Those , however , who possessed a stronger understanding ,-and listened with deep attention to the story , neither wondered at his warmth , nor censured his inflexibility , for he is not only grievously
wronged by the merchant , but his only child , the daughter or his ' bosom , whom he most dearly loved , is stolen from him , together ' with an immense treasure , by a young profligate companion of the merchant , and , like him a scoffer at our law and our religion . When Shylock complains of this double robbery , he is ridiculed * by his other libertine associates , and derided by the city at large . These ' scenesin which the father ' s different sensations are delineatedhis
, , rage , grief , paternal tenderness and indignation , are peculiarly interesting , and produced repeated plaudits from the audience . We must conclude that he would have sunk under those distresses , but for the consolation he received from . Antonio ' s having forfeited his bond ; which was to repay Shylock 3000 ducats within a limited time ^ or to allow himin case of failureto cut off a pound of flesh nearest
, , his heart . The money not being repaid at the time appointed , Shylock expects to obtain a signal and glorious revenge , on his own and his people ' s enemy ; to shew the world an example , that a son of Abraham was not to be wronged and trampled on with impunity .
His firmness and patriotic sentiments on this occasion deserve the hig hest commendation . His resentment , though severe , is just ; he had endured irreparable wrongs , and had a right to expect the most exemplary vengeance for their atonement . The law , however , on which he founds his claim , is evaded by shameful sophistry . Shy lock is permitted to take the pound of flesh , but is warned , at the same time , that if he sheds < one drop of Christian blood in
cutting it , his lands and goods are confiscated to the State , by the laws of Venice . ' f But how can we suppose its legislators could have foreseen and obviated the fulfilling of so singular a contract as that between the merchant and Shylock ? That in their great wisdom they should enact a decree , by which a man is allowed to take his creditors forfeiture , yet punished for not performing an impossibility in taking it ? Can we imagine that Shylock's notary could have drawn , or himself have signed a bond , that fairly admitted such an interpre-