Anti-Semitism and Racism in the Merchant of Venice

Anti-Semitism and racism in The Merchant Of Venice. Anti-Semitism and the desecration of the Jewish population have been in existence for nearly five thousand years. In William Shakespeares â€Å"The Merchant of Venice†, we find that one of the characters is the subject and expression of anti-Semitic attitude that is persistent in Elizabethan society. William Shakespeares â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† contains many examples that insult Jewish heritage because they were the minority in London in Shakespearean time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times, Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of Londons population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living†¦show more content†¦Fed with The same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject To the same diseases, healed by the same means, Warmed and cooled by the same winter and Summer, as a Christian?†. Shakespeare has created a character that the audiences feelings will change for by the minute. When the play was written the audience would have immediately disliked Shylock on the basis of his religion and occupation, however nowadays when religious prejudice is not nearly as strong we still find him an unpleasant character. One of the main things which makes him seem unpleasant is his greed and love of money. His first words are actually, Three thousand ducats; well. Later on in the first scene, when Antonio enters to talk to Shylock about lending Bassanio money, Shylock says to himself; I hate him for he is a Christian; But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis, and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice This shows that Shylock puts his money before his religion. He says he hates Antonio because he is a Christian (and so an immediate enemy of the devout Jew) but more than that he hates him because he lends out money for no fee and so takes business away from Shylock. Antonio has detested and despised this Jew, even humiliating him publicly because of his money lending and being Jewish. Shylock believes that his profiteering is not a sin, which is contrary to the Christian belief, held by Antonio,Show MoreRelatedPrejudice, Racism and Anti-Semitism in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice2810 Words   |  12 PagesPrejudice, Racism and Anti-Semitism in William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, there is a strong theme of prejudice. Portia has to deal with prejudice against her sex, the Prince of Morocco has to deal with prejudice against his race but the character that is most discriminated against is Shylock. 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