Merchant of Venice

Prejudice: The Merchant of Venice has been labeled an anti-Semetic play by some critics, but this is far from the only way to look at it. The character of Shylock seems, outwardly, to be the villain of the play. He sets up a plan to exact a pound of flesh from Antonio, who, outwardly, seems like a good Christian. The story, however, is much deeper than this. Shakespeare gives reasons for Shylock’s actions—if they are acts of hatred, it is not unfounded hatred. Instead, it is clear that the Antonio has given Shylock ample reason to seek revenge. Further, many of the Christian characters exhibit the same behaviors which they persecute Shylock for. Upon examination of Shylock’s motives and the actions of the Christians in the play, it is not Shylock’s Jewishness which is being criticized, but the hypocrisy shown by the Christian characters.

The normal first reaction to Shylock’s character is that he is cruel and evil because of his un-Christian hatred for Antonio. However, it is actually Antonio who shows an unfounded hatred. As Anne Barton points out in the introduction, “Treated as something inhuman, a ‘dog’ or a ‘cur,’ Shylock not unnaturally responds...with tooth and claw” (The Riverside Shakespeare, page285). Shylock

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However, when Shylock attempts to do the same things, he is persecuted. Shakespeare obviously intended the audience to pity Shylock after such a harsh fate befell him, which suggests that the play is not intended to be anti-Semetic. 68)

This is an interesting statement, especially since it immediately follows Shylock’s argument that Jews bleed, laugh, and die in the same manner as Christians.

The contours of this Christian value system are thrown its strongest relief by the presentation of an alternative outlook on life, and it is through the dark eyes of Shylock that this foil to enlightenment is presented, in flesh and in spirit. Ultimately, all of this gets caught up in the ring scheme as it is resolved in the play's last scene. Yet his act is not backed by legal contract, it is an illegal and subversive act done behind Shylock’s back.

Owing to a wave of anti-Jewish sentiment in late-sixteenth century England, Shakespeare's audiences were familiar with stereotypically evil Jews on stage, these dramatic characters resonating with the Judas figure of medieval Passion Plays. Even his love interest in Portia seems strongly tied to her wealth.

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above the sceptered sway,

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute of God himself

And earthly power doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice. His greed is of an even grosser nature than Shylock’s because he satisfies it throught irresponsible means—borrowing without repaying.

Approximate Word count = 3267
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)

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