One of the first idioms taught to students of all ages is "Don't judge a book by its cover." Often a quote like that can be easily overlooked, but it applies to people who aren't always who they seem. Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice, is an exceptional work that features a very strange villain in the person of Shylock, who is hated by everyone, although he has not wronged them in the past. Thus, his habits and personality evolved from his interactions with the Venetian population. By examining the shifts in tone that Shylock displays, the motivations of Shylock the villain can be seen and ultimately show that no matter how twisted a person is or may appear, the motivations behind their actions indicate that they inherently have a shred of d humanity and conscience and can therefore be sympathized and pitied. The passage begins with Shylock's simple inquiry into his relative's progress in finding his daughter, presumably because he cares for her well-being. Shylock says: “And now Tubal! What news from Genoa? Have you found my daughter? (3.1.75-76). However, the response he receives from Tubal seems to irritate him and instead of responding rationally, he seems to worship his money and valuables rather than his own daughter. For example, he answers: “Why there, there, there, there!” A missing diamond cost me two thousand ducats in Frankford... Two thousand ducats in that, and other very precious jewels. I would rather have my daughter dead at my feet and the jewels in her ear” (3.1.79-83). Shylock places great importance on the amount that was stolen from him; his repetition of “two thousand ducats” and “jewels” borders on obsessive madness. This tone differs greatly from the one he had moments before, where he enthusiastically threw... middle of paper... even though they had explicitly told them they would have to keep the rings forever. There is a clear divide between Shylock and the members of Venetian society: what they value, he does not value and vice versa. Shylock is portrayed as reviled by many modern readers, however, he is different from other villains because he is not inherently evil. , but rather his evil nature stemming from his interactions with society. From here we can see Shylock's underlying motivations. Maybe Shylock overstepped his bounds, and maybe not. However, this is simply an arbitrary opinion. What is important is that Shylock is not exactly what he seems at first glance. He is not an irritable Jew who engenders hatred and disgust in everyone he encounters. Rather, he is simply a man, excluded from society and bullied for being different, seeking revenge on a society that has wronged him for so long.