Free Merchant of Venice Essays: Anti-Semitism :: Merchant Venice Essays

Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice Though many scenery Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice as antisemitic, circumspect examination shows that the playwright actually develops the opposing point of view. These views can be easily established through a careful reading of the plays dialogue, character comparisons, and more subtly through indirect thematic developments by the playwright showing that on both simple and complex levels, Shakespeare attacks the anti-Semitic attitude that has been prevalent in society for centuries. The words of the play actually challenge anti-Semitism. In one of his most eloquent moments Shylock addresses this prejudice when he verbalizes the equality of all men in Act III, Scene 1. He Antonio hath disgracd men, and hinderd me half a million pranked at my losses, mockd at my gains, scornd my nation, thwarted my bargains, coold my friends, heated my enemies and whats his causal agency? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, org ans, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, heald by the same means, warmd and coold by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? The revenge motif in the play stems from the undeserved ill treatment world-class of Shylock by Antonio and then Antonio by Shylock. On simple levels Shakespeare shows bigotry and prejudice in all its ugliness through the use of anti-Semitic attitudes. Shakespeare dispels the premise of anti-Semitism by establishing marked similarities between Shylock and his antagonists in the play. Antonio and Shylock are both business men intent on making bills who have allowed this pursuit to become their entire focus. In the cited speech, Shylock indicates his hatred is born of the hatred shown towards him by others (particularly Antonio). Since there is no sound justification for Antonios attitudes, he serves as a vehicle for establishing the hollowness of prejudice formed without basis. This is reasonably obvious even to the casual reader. In a more subtle mien Shakespeare, through the use of the caskets, presents a truism with regard to the contrasts between outward appearances and inner reality leading to the prevailing idea that one must weigh beyond the surface.