Shylock's Humanity by John R. Cooper – Summary

Short summary

In his 1970 article "Shylock's Humanity" John R. Cooper presents his reading of the character of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. His analysis centers on Shylock's "Hath not a Jew eyes" speech.

Cooper argues that the purpose of this central passage is to capture the conflict between justice and mercy that is inherent in the play. Shylock's insistence on exacting his legal revenge represents the belief in strict justice and the sense of self-entitlement as ultimate values. The Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon represent this paradigm as well, as they feel that they deserve Portia. This world view is juxtaposed with the value of mercy, as represented by the Christians who urge Shylock to abandon his revenge. This juxtaposition of paradigms, notes Cooper, is illustrated further by the differences between Belmont and Venice. In Venice law and justice reign supreme, whereas in Belmont mercy does, as represented by the favoring of merciful Bassanio over the greedy, self-important princes in the lottery game.

In the speech, Shylock points to similarities between Jews and Christians' hunger for revenge. Instead of creating a clear-cut distinction between Jews and Christians, Cooper says, Shakespeare provides a thesis on human nature. Through this speech, Shylock's villainy is reduced by implying that Shylock has succumbed to a characteristic of universal human nature. In addition, his characters' depth is established, and Shylock cannot be regarded as a shallow stereotype.

According to Cooper, the end of the play is a tentative resolution to the conflict between justice and mercy. Shylock is converted to Christianity, which implies his future moral improvement. Finally, the play closes in Belmont rather than in Venice, which further signifies the transition from harsh justice to mercy. 

Long summary

In the past, critics have considered Shakespeare to be sympathetic or evil. However, critics have recently agreed that neither extreme is accurate, but that a median interpretation is more realistic. However, critics still disagree on the extent of his malevolence and the relationship between his Judaism and his malice. Some argue that Shakespeare was intended to be a stock villain but Shakespeare's genius magnified him beyond that. Others argue that his Judaism is negligible and a mere mask to his villainy.

One of the chief sympathetic speeches is Shylock's 3.1 "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech. Some cite it as evidence Shakespeare was "incapable of racial bigotry". Others view this as justification for his malice and as a statement that malice is a human quality. It is not a legal defense but a thesis on human nature. By this speech, Shylock's villainy is reduced by implying that Shylock has succumbed to a characteristic of universal human nature.

It is hard to conceive, however, that the speech is only Shylock's empty attempt to mask his malice. The speech is central to the moral debate in the play. Smith turns to a theoretical Elizabethan audience for answers and thinks they'd respond to the hypocrisy of this speech.

It is helpful to view the speech in the context of the rest of the play. In 2.8, Salarino's speech in which he quotes Shylock as having mourned the loss of his riches more than the flight of his daughter evokes the stereotypical money-hungry Jew. However, this comical Shylock never appears onstage. Instead, his next onstage appearance (Hath not a Jew eyes) serves to establish him as a serious character with depth and a capacity for emotions and revenge. Though the speech does not provide real defense, "this speech gives dignity to Shylock".

A major theme in MoV is the conflict between justice and mercy. The Christians in the play urge shylock to show mercy whereas Shylock appeals to the law to uphold justice and allow him to follow through with the contract. In this way, Christianity in the play is associated with mercy and Judaism - with rigid laws and justice. Portia tries to appeal to Shylock and says that mercy, and not justice, leads to salvation. Shylock's conversion to Christianity is indicative of the Christians' desire to make him favor mercy over justice.

Shylock's villainy is also diminished by the behavior of the Christians in the play. Christianity is supposed to be superior to Judaism in that it favors mercy and tolerance, and yet Antonio treats Shylock reprehensibly. Shylock points this inconsistency in Christian behavior out, both in the speech in question and throughout the play. Whereas Shylock's character does not appeal to the audience in its lack of mercy, his reasoning and the legal way in which he has handled the proceedings does. The Duke stands on the boundary between the two paradigms: he wishes he could release Antonio but cannot, because he must obey the law.

The opposition in the play is not between Jews and Christians but between generosity, forgiveness, and mercy on the one hand and stubborn upholding of justice and a feeling of self-deserving on the other. The latter attitude is held not only by Shylock but also by the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon, who feel that they deserve her. This opposition is represented by the differences between Belmont and Venice. In Venice law and justice reign supreme, whereas in Belmont mercy does, as represented by the favoring of merciful Bassanio over the greedy self-important princes.

So. Basically this speech's purpose is to raise important moral issues in the play. This helps us with Shylock's characterization. Shylock is not a parody of a Jew, but rather a character with depth. In addition, Shylock's ultimate conversion is not a symptom of blind opposition to Jews but rather symbolic trading of value sets of the two religions' paradigms. Shylock is not joyful about this conversion for the sake of realism, but the implication of moral improvement exists. Finally, the play closes in Belmont rather than in Venice, which again signifies the happy transition from harsh justice to mercy.

In the past, critics have argued that Shylock's character is that of a "hero-victim", while others have claimed that he would have been portrayed as a grotesque, over-stereotyped Jew. While it is now accepted that neither of these extremes is accurate, the extent of his malevolence has yet to be agreed upon.

The text contains evidence for the sympathetic and evil interpretations of Shylock's character.

Shylock. Illustration