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

Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice Though many post Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice as anti-semitic, careful examination shows that the playwright actually develops the fence point of view. These views can be easily established through a careful reading of the plays dialogue, character comparisons, and more subtly through verificatory thematic developments by the playwright showing that on both dim-witted and complex levels, Shakespeare attacks the anti-Semitic attitude that has been prevalent in society for centuries. The wrangle of the play actually challenge anti-Semitism. In one of his most silver 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 laughed at my losses, mockd at my gains, scornd my nation, thwarted my bargains, coold my friends, heated my enemies and whats his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dim ensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the comparable 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 envenom us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not visit? The revenge motif in the play stems from the undeserved ill treatment beginning(a) of Shylock by Antonio and then Antonio by Shylock. On simple levels Shakespeare shows fanaticism and prejudice in all its ugliness through the use of anti-Semitic attitudes. Shakespeare dispels the premises 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 money 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 (particul arly Antonio). Since there is no sound justification for Antonios attitudes, he serves as a vehicle for establishing the falsity of prejudice formed without basis. This is reasonably obvious even to the casual reader. In a more subtle manner Shakespeare, through the use of the caskets, presents a truism with regard to the contrasts between outward appearances and inner reality direct to the prevailing idea that one must look beyond the surface.