The Merchant of Venice and Theme of Anti-Semitism

Shakespeare’s "The Merchant of Venice" can be read as a total anti-Semitic play. However, if
the audience reads between the lines, they would find that the play is one that condemns racial
and religious discrimination. Shylock, the Jewish character in the play, is not only given a voice
but is depicted as a round character with an undeniable human side. He is not solely driven by
mere greed and self interest; there is much depth in his character.

To appeal to the Puritan Elizabethan audience, Shakespeare could not have simply depicted an
ideal picture of a Jew who is worthy of love and respect. Such a dogmatic society would have
rejected that. The Jews were marginalized, looked down upon and treated as second rate citizens
in Christian Europe. Setting his play in Venice, far from London, Shakespeare managed to get
the audience to sympathize with the old, abandoned disdained father and merchant who lost not
only his money, but the chance to avenge himself from those who humiliated him, together with
his daughter and his faith as well. He was left by nothing but the so-called 'Christian mercy'
which is far from the true sense of mercy.
            

After his daughter, Jessica, has abandoned him and eloped with her Christian lover, Shylock
sought her in every way possible to finally hear some news about her that she has exchanged a
ring for a monkey. He is astonished by this act and says that this ring originally belonged to her
deceased mother and that it has been a most precious piece of jewelry. He adds that he would not
exchange this ring for a jungle of monkeys as it means a lot to him. In this scene, the audience
sees Shylock mourning his daughter, crying over her, and moreover speaking of the moral value
of the ring rather than its materialistic value. One would not help sympathizing with a man in his
place, whose own daughter has brought him loss and disgrace and has shown no respect for his
precious memories of her mother.

Theme of Anti-Semitism in "The Merchant of Venice"

Throughout the play, "The Merchant of Venice" William Shakespeare portrays anti-Semitism
through many of his characters. Audiences today may interpret the play to be offensive, where as
people of Shakespeare’s time would have accepted the play as part of everyday life. The majority
of London’s population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living
there. Shakespeare’s "The Merchant of Venice" supports anti-Semitism actions and thoughts and
therefore it is an anti- Semitic play.

             Anti- Semitism is demonstrated very strongly through the character of Antonio. It is
clear that Antonio is prejudice towards Jews. Shylock confronts Antonio for spitting on his
gabardine, calling him a ‘dog’, and scolding him in the Rialto about his moneys. Antonio replies
with, "I am like to call thee so again, To spet on thee again, to spurn thee, too". Antonio does not
deny his actions and instead of apologizing he says he will do them again. He does not hold back
his feelings for Shylock and in a broad sense his feelings toward Jews.

             Lorenzo harshly insults Shylock when he tells Jessica that if her father ever makes it to
heaven, it is only because Jessica converted to Christianity and that is portrayed through the line,
"If e’er the Jew her father comes to heaven…”.