Different Attitudes Toward Jews in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Different Attitudes Toward Jews in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

In "The Merchant of Venice" there is a lot of anger frustration and hatred shown to Jews. Anti-Semitism is a problem Jews have had to face for many years. There is history of Jews living in the Christian community, which dates back many years. In medieval England, the money lender or usurer was a sinner therefore you can imagine how Shylock was treated by the Christian community in Venice, the Christian Church was openly abusive to Jews, calling the Jews money making criminals.

Shylock was a moneylender and this was one of the few professions a Jew was permitted to have. Shylock agreed to give Antonio the three thousand ducats he required but did not charge interest instead he said if Antonio could not pay him back he would have his bond, which was one pound of flesh of Antonio's, which would virtually kill Antonio. Antonio was confident of his three ships arriving back however Shylock doubted the security of Antonio's

Ships. Shylock wanted Antonio to suffer and Shylock knew there were no guarantees that the ships would return. Shylock agreed to have one pound of Antonio's flesh if he could not pay back the three thousand ducats, also this way Shylock would not be prosecuted by the law of Venice. Shylock had made a bond with Antonio, which Antonio could not break. Shylock said: "But ships are but boards, sailors but men; there be land rats, and water rats"

One scene in which we see hostility shown towards Jews is at the beginning when Antonio asks for a loan. Antonio warns off Bassanio when Shylock quotes from the bible, Antonio said: "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness." By reading this passage we can tell that he thinks his words are worthless and he can pick and choose words, which he wants, but he is a devil in disguise. He also called him a devil, which was incredibly powerful and very offensive.