CULTURAL DIVISIONS AND ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE MERCHANT OF VENI

             Most speeches in plays by William Shakespeare force us to think about the bigger implications of the character's actions on the whole of society and there influence on the order of society. In the Merchant of Venice there is a clear division between the different ethnic groups, the Jews and the Christians. This division forces us to think about the implications of anti-Semitism.
             At the beginning of the play the division between the Jews and the Christians is clearly established. This is firmly done by Shylock who is portrayed as a stereotypical Jew. His reaction to an invitation to dine with two Christians is rude and aggressive. He gives a valid excuse, that of not eating pork, but then he insults the Christian believe.
             "Yes, to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you."
             By insulting the Christian believe he is seen as the villain. This is reinforced by the fact that he is the first character to make sure that the ethnic division exists. Shylock as a stereotype for Jews has been established as an unsympathetic character.
             Within the same act Shylock makes another speech, this time it is aimed at the hypocrisy of the Christians whom he has previously insulted. The speech should make us think about and maybe even criticise the anti-Semantic society the play is set in.
             "Over your threshold: monies is your suit. What should I say to you? Should I not say 'hath a dog money? Is it possible a cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or should I bend low, and in a bondman's key, with bated breath and whispering humbleness, say this... "
             Christians use the Jewish community for business, they profit from them, but socially they threat them as dogs. The question of trustworthiness comes to mind. This character has just insulted the Chris...

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CULTURAL DIVISIONS AND ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE MERCHANT OF VENI. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 05:02, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/11858.html