Revenge is something that we view as an option, whenever someone would bring unfortunate to us. So, it's only natural that people would seek for vengeance in such circumstances. And, once we execute it then, all of the past negativity that was harbored disappears into dust and, one begins anew. However, once an attempt on revenge is made it doesn’t end there but, becomes tainted. Dirty. In the play, Merchant of Venice written by William Shakespeare it portrays how revenge does not always guarantee satisfaction because, it can exacerbate the conditions . This notion revolves around a Jewish merchant, Shylock who agrees on a deal with the Christian Antonio, despite past religious discrimination. But things aren’t that excusable as Shylock sets a condition. Which is if Antonio fails to fulfill his part of the deal then, he has the right to claim a pound of flesh from him. As the story progresses, Shylock’s longing for revenge increases. But, once Shylock finally was able to execute it, it backfired. In conclusion, despite a person performing misconduct on another because, revenge is not always sweet as it can worsen your circumstances.
Revenge begins with the inflictor. “A pound of human flesh, taken from a man, is not so saleable, or profitable, as the flesh of mutton, beef or goats. I’m saying that to buy his goodwill, I offer this friendship” . In this scene, Shylock proposes a ‘condition’ which is a facade for his vengeance against Antonio for discriminating his religious identity. By attaining revenge it will act as atonement to the mistreatment that Antonio had performed on him which will ultimately, satiate Shylock's bitterness against Antonio. However, it is only a sugared mask to its true, dark self. “I’m glad of it. I’ll plague him. I’ll torture him. I’m glad of it!”. At this point, Shylock’s close friend Tubal announces that Antonio is incapable of fulfilling his part of the deal which delights Shylock. His enthusiasm enforces him to dream of the varying possibilities. However, because of those possibilities to gain vengeance, Shylock’s mind becomes consumed with it. Shylock becomes obsessed with the thought of gaining revenge on Antonio to the point that its worrying. Rather than becoming satisfied Shylock only worsens his mental state.
Finally, when Antonio is about to gain vengeance, everything collapses. “Take your pound of flesh. But if, in cutting it, you shed one drop of Christian blood, your lands and goods, under the laws of Venice, will be confiscated to the state of Venice” . Right at the moment of retribution, a character named Portia intervenes, she declares from the contract, that if any blood were to be shed then, it would be game over. After that announcement, Shylock drops his act of vengeance and instead asks for an alternate. However, it is too late for another option and, now that Shylock had already attempted at ending Antonio's life there must be retribution from him. There is no satisfaction in conducting or attempting revenge but, only disappointment. "Please grant me permission to leave here. I am not well. Send the will after me.” Shylock barely escapes the temporary trap he was in however, there is still some sort of payback from him. So, Antonio announces that if Shylock wants to continue living then, he must abide by two rules. One, join the religion that he most disliked and two, give half of your possessions to the traitor of a daughter. Because of that, Shylock becomes disheartened, everything had failed for him ever since his mind became geared towards revenge. And now Shylock is in a predicament that he is forced to enter. The pursuit of vengeance bears failure, disappointment, sadness, and overall a worsened situation.
From this, one can learn that revenge should not be used as an option as it can greatly backfire .Although, it is understandable that one one would opt for retribution to let the inflictor receive the same kind of suffering they endured. In this case, Shylock made that choice because, Antonio had discriminated his religious identity so, once a deal was made he jumped at the opportunity to gain revenge. A pound of his flesh shall be cut to make atonement. As the story progresses Shylock’s desire for vengeance increases to the point, that his mind is only consumed of attaining that flesh. Then, when it finally came to the point that Shylock is just about to obtain contentment, it is only interrupted by Portia which disables his acquirement from the contract he signed. Not only that, his most prized possessions (including his religious identity) were confiscated from the people he despised the most. By attempting revenge nothing will be fulfilled but, only worsened circumstances. Because of that, one should never lean on revenge as a choice at any point in their life for it will only lead to misery. In the journey of vengeance, one will never be able to find contentment but, an undesirable situation.
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