Shakespeare's play “The Merchant of Venice” presents a range of human experiences lived by the characters. These experiences differ between people due to the context of the play. Set in Venice, the atmosphere is multicultural, exotic and extremely focused on money and power. This text is a great example of how being human is a profound paradox, manifested through Shylock's actions. Shylock is portrayed as a paradoxical character throughout the text, as we understand him to be an undisciplined and cruel Jew, whose selfish behavior is contradicted by his emotions and beliefs. Thus, throughout the play, the outspoken feminist Portia also demonstrates that she is a paradox to society because she determines her own destiny and manipulates situations for her own humor. The example of these two characters shows how being human is a profound paradox. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Throughout “The Merchant of Venice,” it is understood that Shylock is selfish, heartless, and obsessed with money. Due to the context of the play, he is seen as a stereotypical Jew of the time who faced persecution from Venetian Christians. Although throughout the play it is revealed that Shylock is right for his wickedness. Due to continued persecution, Shylock has been forced to develop resentment towards his treatment and develops villainous and irrational characteristics. An example of this in the text is when the Duke asks Shylock to show Antonio mercy, but Shylock refuses. Although he does not provide a valid explanation for why he will not show Antonio mercy, he states: "You will ask me why I would rather have a weight of carrion than receive three thousand ducats." I won't answer that, but say it's my humor. Was it answered? This statement demonstrates how Shylock's boring and direct language is used to offend Antonio by comparing his flesh to that of "carrion flesh", but also to demonstrate that he derives his humor from the idea of ​​harm towards Antonio. Although his argument may not hold true for the Duke, Shylock's resentment towards Antonio is made evident. Although the audience views Shylock as unreasonable, it appears that his actions are due to his previous treatment. This is where Shylock is seen as a paradox to the human experience, as he causes the audience to sympathize with him, even though he is seen as a villain. Shylock's villainous traits are a creation of circumstance as the audience understands him as a victim of persecution. Shylock insists on equality between Jews and Christians and sets out his moving speech in which he exclaims: “Has a Jew not eyes? Doesn't a Jew have hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? – fed the same food, wounded by the same weapons, subject to the same diseases.” Through this speech, the audience understands how emotionally damaged Shylock is due to the events of persecution, which is a major contrast to his previous behavior of cruelty. Through this speech, Shylock's perception shifts from being a villain to being a victim of society, and is seen as weak and full of emotions, which the audience had not been exposed to before in the play. This paradox of the transition from villain to victim demonstrates the idea that being human is a profound paradox and, in Shylock's case, depends on the context of time and circumstances that determine the character and emotions of.