The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare is about a Jew called Shylock who tries to kill Antonio, a Christian, by lending him money, but if he fails to pay it back on time, Shylock gets a pound of his flesh. Antonio is portrayed as a 'higher' soul basically because he is a Christian. A higher soul is someone who is poetic, likes music, or in the Medieval speech a Christian. Shylock is presented as a 'lower' soul, a lower soul is not poetic, does not have a good taste for music, or again in medieval context, a Jew. Throughout history Jews have always been persecuted, it dates all the way back to the Ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians used the Jews as a scapegoat for the country's problems, so it was a case of follow the leader for the rest of history. The Christians have been in charge throughout this persecution. This persecution continued throughout the medieval age, Jews were regarded as the killer of Christ, as it was said in the bible. They were very rarely allowed to enter highly paid jobs such as solicitors, and accused of almost every crime. Some countries went to the extreme of forcing the Jews into exile.
             Antonio is portrayed as a risk taker,
             "Bethink me straight of dangerous rocks
             Which touching but my gentle vessels sides,
             Would scatter all her spies on the stream
             Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks."
             This shows that he is a risk taker because all his money is tied up in a ship which could be robbed or sink at anytime but he is willing to risk all his money and his life for a friend. This links in with my next point.
             Antonio is a very loyal friend when he puts his life on the line for Bassanio, and has risked so much for him,
             I owe the most in money and love"
             Bassanio is very lucky to have a friend who is willing to risk everything for him and he acknowledges this in the above quote.
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