Love And Hate In The Merchant Of Venice Essay

Throughout the education system, there seems to be an unofficial consensus that pieces of literature that are deemed “controversial” should not be taught in school. The Merchant of Venice falls into this category due to the Anti-Semitism which exists within the play making it “controversial” therefore, banned. On the contrary, this play should not be considered controversial and it should not be banned due to the learning experiences and knowledge that can be gained by reading this play. The contrastive style of literature will provide students and teachers alike who read this play the chance to expand their horizons when it comes to their English skills. With this in mind, The Merchant of Venice written by William

Shylock requests a pound of flesh from Antonio on his search for justice. He claimed, "My deeds upon my head. I crave the law, The penalty, and forfeit of my bond" (4.1.195-196). Essentially, he tries to make everyone believe that as a follower of the law he would 've allow Antonio to cut a pound of flesh from his very own body if it was the other way around. Portia challenges Shylock 's hidden intentions. She says, "Shylock, there 's thrice thy money offered thee" (4.1.218). Getting his bond repaid was really not his moto. She is giving him the opportunity to understand that mercy is more important than justice, that he should show an act of mercy for Antonio. Still, Shylock persists and really just shows his real vision when he says, "By my soul I swear / There is no power in the tongue of man / To alter me. I stay here on my bond." His moto is really to hurt Antonio and finally gain revenge. Shylock shows himself as an individual without mercy. Where all that really matters was the insatiable thirst for revenge that controlled his actions.

‘The Merchant of Venice’ is a play set in Italy in the late 16th Century, written by William Shakespeare. One of the main characters in the play is a cunning Jewish moneylender named Shylock. Shylock is part of a race that was discriminated against, despised and hated for their religion.

Discrimination and hatred across religions can be often become a normal part of everyday life, and can be difficult to eradicate and extinguish. In William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, the idea of the “normality” of everyday prejudices comes across in interactions and the portrayal of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Venice. Through Shylock’s character, Shakespeare provides a commentary on how his society has viewed Judaism in a dehumanizing way for many generations, but also expresses how difficult and not in a playwright’s place to change these societal prejudices.

The victimization of Shylock for being a Jew makes the reader sympathize with him and for the fact that he is Jewish. It lends an understanding as to how Shylock cultivated a hate for Christians and his justification in doing so. In contrast, Shakespeare makes no mention of Shylock’s past and uses his Judaism as the sole means for his distinctive torment of Antonio.

Influential anti-Jew philosophies filled Shakespeare's epoch, Shylock was always introduced as “the Jew”, this was done to make sure that Shylock stood out in the crowd, he was not to be treated equal and everyone was made aware of this. This play is not a comedy but a cruel portrayal of existence as a Jew. Shylock's life was full of prejudice, which in turn made him a bitter

While in the court Shylock is stubborn to accept anything, but only his “bond of flesh” from Antonio. The Duke intervenes and adheres Shylock to “forgive a moiety of the principal, Glancing an eye of pity on his losses That have of late so huddled on his back…(4.1.25-8). Hence, Shylock refuses to dismiss the contract, in a similar form, as Antonio refused his offer to a potential friendship and instead discriminated him. Yet, the Duke is only focused on saving his fellow Christian from Shylock, a “Jew.” Duke further states, “We all expect a gentle answer, Jew” (4.1.36-7). The way that the Duke has called him “Jew” is inferred as discriminating him for his religion and to some extent not enforcing the law of justice towards Shylock because of his religion. Thereby, knowing that the Duke is in the position of making justice in Venice, he, first, favors those of his kind, “Christian[s].” Thus, Shylock’s does not remove himself from claiming his own justice of the contract for the purpose of the mistreatment that Antonio takes upon him; whereas, “Christians” don’t have that custom in lending money through “interest rates.” Thus, Shylock will not leave until his contract agreements has been completed that he further says, “…by our holy Sabbath have I sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond” (4.1.36-7). The Merchant of Venice, also shows us how justice plays as injustice but is seen as justice because of the superior group is much greater than the inferior group, the Jewish, which they, practically, do not hold any power. Shylock does not get justice, and thus is puts in a worse discrimination position he was before by enforcing him to convert to Christian. This is paradoxically since the own court refused to give him justice; so why should Shylock still

As many of the Venetians “[are] Christian” (MV 1.3.39), Shylock is subjected to religious discrimination because he “[is] a Jew” (3.1.54). This is significant because Shylock is forced to face a number of abuses at the Venetian elite. For this reason alone, Shylock is “spit on” (1.3.123) and “called [a] dog” (3.1.125) just because of the religious beliefs he adheres to conflicts with the beliefs of the Venetian elite. Where Shylock is constantly “laughed at” (3.1.51) and “mocked at” (3.1.51) by Antonio, a member of the accepted Venetian elite, for being a religious outsider, this indicates that the Venetians view Shylock and, by extension, the entire Jewish religion as an embodiment of the devil. As the Venetian elite believe Shylock is “an evil soul producing holy witness / Is like a villain with a smiling cheek” (1.3.97-98) that disrupts the accepted religion in Venice, this demonstrates that a religion difference is justifiable reason to discriminate Shylock. The extreme instances of unfair treatment that Shylock withstands from the Venetians because of his religious beliefs denotes him — like Othello — as an outsider in Venice. The dualities of acceptance extends only to those individuals who do not threaten the scarcity of that which the Venetian elite hold most dear to them: purity and Christianity. As Othello and Shylock both threaten these aspects, the illusion of acceptance bestowed upon them by the Venetian elite shatters and leads to the harsh discrimination and denotation as outsiders in Venice. Incidentally, where the Venetian elite believe that Othello and Shylock are outsiders for their racial and religious identities, Othello and Shylock sustain this belief by depicting themselves as the stereotypes that are associated with them,

In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the scene opens to reveal a society controlled by men. Men, who live in the foreground of Venetian society, wield their power in business, government, and family life. In the background, women conduct their lives quietly. They are subservient to their husbands and fathers and are regarded as helpless and in need of male guidance in areas of decision making. Though in Shakespeare’s time such a societal structure was largely acceptable, the modern reader views the subjugation of women with aversion, and the ways in which Shakespeare presents the female characters in this play perhaps show that he too was not entirely comfortable

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare portrays Shylock as a victim throughout the play, but as he seeks revenge towards the Christians and everyone who has done him wrong, Shylock defends himself with some villainous behaviour. To a modern audience, the discrimination and suffering Shylock experiences, place him as a victim. Throughout the play, Shylock, a Jewish money lender, is perceived as a greedy and miserly man due to his Jewish culture. In Shakespeare's time, exploitation of Jews was common; particularly in Venice as it was an anti-Semitic city. However, Jews thought of themselves as victims of harassment and oppression. Shylock has been discriminated against, but nevertheless seeks revenge on people who have done him wrong which displays another side to Shylock. Therefore, Shylock is viewed as a victim and a villain, but more of a victim because of the abuse he has suffered.

Happiness. It is not measurable, profitable, nor tradable. Yet, above all else in the world, it is what people seek. They want to have happiness, and want to know they have a lot of it. But happiness, like air or water, is a hard thing to grasp in one’s hand. It is intangible. So how does one know if they have it? Is it just a feeling? And if someone does not feel happy, how can they go about achieving that feeling? Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions, managing from contentment to intense joy. In the play, The Merchant of Venice, there are lots of characters who have found their own root of happiness. One of the who found his happiness is Bassanio. The

Shakespeare still had to please the crowd with the insults and anti-Semitic feelings the people loved. He did this by adding flaws to the characters that they are now known for. Shakespeare gave Shylock his deep hatred for Antonio and all Christians, shown constantly by Shylock himself as he rants how Antonio constantly wrongs him. Another flaw in Shylock's morals is seen in his "Hath not a Jew eyes" speech. There he believes he has the right for revenge when a Christian wrongs him, saying, "If a Jew wrongs a Christians, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrongs a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge." (III, i, 63-66). Antonio too shows flaws, both through Shylock's stories of Antonio's persecution and through the insults he offers Shylock throughout the play. In the courtroom scene, Antonio tells Bassanio he might as well go stand on the beach and tell the waves to stop their endless beat upon the shores than try to get the Jew to change his mind. He also jokes that Shylock is turning into a Christian with his kindness to lend Antonio the 3,000 ducats, saying "The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind." (I, iii, 170). Not only does this add the necessary conflicts for humor that the audience wants, but it provides the backbone for the story, showing the background of the

the ancient grudge I bear him”. Here he is saying that he has an old

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. He is hated for being a Jew and a money-lender, but Shakespeare has not made Shylock a character easy to sympathise with. He appears to be mean and cruel and it seems as though he loves money above all things. However during the play there are moments when Shakespeare gives Shylock speeches which show his humanity. In these moments, the audience is made to feel sorry

Shylock is also the victim when Jessica leaves. He loses his only child, that underneath his cold exterior it becomes apparent he loves her and struggles with the depth of his grief. He loses hold on his business and walks through the streets morning the loss of his child to the men he detests. He cries in anguish ‘The curse never fell upon our nation till now; I never felt it till now…. My own flesh and blood to rebel! I say, my daughter is my flesh and blood.’ This scene evokes compassion towards Shylock but he is tormented more by Salario and Salanio. This shows him as a repentant father, a man a victim to his child’s will and prejudice surrounding his race.