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The theme of anti semitism in the merchants of Venice
Impression of shylock in the merchant of venice
The theme of anti semitism in the merchants of Venice
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Stereotypes for every different religion, ethnicity, culture, and gender exist among the minds of the human race. These typecasts have ruled this world for as long as there has been diversity among people. In Shakespeare’s comedic tragedy, The Merchant of Venice, one prejudice is very central to the theme. The play is dominantly set in Venice, one of the most liberal cities of the Renaissance era. In this place and time period, anti-Semitism is very much in force. The Jewish people are discriminated against and treated terribly by the Christians living in Venice. Shylock, a wealthy Jew, is mercilessly spurned many times by men like Antonio, a Venetian merchant. In contrast to this blind hatred is the longing and lust associated with Portia, the rich heiress of Belmont. Although she is a wealthy Christian, she is a woman at a time when they held little power and possessed very few rights. In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the author uses the characterization of Portia and Shylock in order to illustrate that despite apparent differences including religion, morals, and reputation, the limited rights of women in this time likened them to the status of the Jews.
In this time period, religion is a major element in the level of respect that one receives. The Jewish people are disrespected to the point where they are spit on in the streets and called names that they generally do not deserve. Shylock is a victim of extreme discrimination and hatred by the Christian people of Venice, especially Antonio and his dear friend, Bassanio. Shylock is hated simply because he is in the minority as a Jew, not because he has ever specifically done anything to cause a Christian to seek revenge against him. Shylock angrily proclaims this injust...
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...to be weaker and less intelligent than the men who enforce these stereotypes. Prejudice has always existed in many different forms and it will probably never cease to exist.
Works Cited
Monsarrat, Gilles. "Shylock and Mercy." Cahiers Elisabéthains 67 (Spring 2005): 1-13. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism. Ed. Michelle Lee. Vol. 107. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Literature Resource Center. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
Shakespeare, William. Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library). New York: Washington Square, 1992. Print.
"The Merchant of Venice." Shakespearean Criticism. Ed. Michelle Lee. Vol. 97. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Literature Resource Center. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
Wheeler, Thomas. "The Merchant of Venice: Overview." Reference Guide to English Literature. Ed. D. L. Kirkpatrick. 2nd ed. Chicago: St. James Press, 1991. Literature Resource Center. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York; Washington Square Press, 1993.
Utilitarianism is an ethical study often associated with “politics of interest” because the ideas of utilitarianism are set on maximizing utility and efficiency. This idea focuses on individualism and aggregating what is best for society as a whole, specifically the economic aspect of society. Deontology is an ethical study that is almost the complete opposite of utilitarian beliefs. Deontology is an ethical study often associated with “politics of conscious” because it approaches issues with the idea of right vs. wrong on mind. This ethical viewpoint is rooted in fulfilling God’s laws and focuses on equal rights. An ethical dilemma case that revolves around the utilitarianism view is The Yellowstone National Park case. The controversy in
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square, 1993. Print.
Utilitarianism is a difficult topic to fathom, for it requires a large amount of questions and self-evaluation. In order to understand utilitarianism, think of bad versus bad. A principle stating that when one is faced with two difficult decisions, which choice would be less harmful for all of those involved? John Stuart Mill and Bernard Williams describe utilitarianism as pain versus pleasure or the lesser of two evils approach, and how that approach ties into ones ultimate choice. Utilitarianism is not about the pursuit of happiness, rather, it is really about picking which evil is the best evil.
Since middle school, I have believed that all of Shakespeare’s works, similar to A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, were plays that one would read to hear a happy, entertaining story; but, it was not until this year, after reading The Merchant of Venice, that I recognized the darker, more sinister, side of Shakespeare’s plays. The Merchant of Venice supports the Jewish, anti-Semitic stereotype as the wicked character of Shylock is developed. Many individuals fear that it is improper to teach and discuss The Merchant of Venice in high school classrooms because of the negative way it presents Jews; however, I believe that it is important to read this controversial play in high schools because it enables students to learn anti-Semitic history and because reading Shakespeare’s works, due to their complexity, expands the literary mind of those who read it.
Venice, where this drama takes place, is a largely religious Italian City. Although filled with spiritual people, the city is divided into two different religious groups. Venice was primarily and dominantly a Christian society with Jews as it’s unfairly treated minority. Stereotypes classified Jews as immoral, evil, and foolish people while the Christians were graceful, merciful, and loving. Representing the Christian belief is Antonio who is summoned to court by a Jew who goes by the name Shylock. The cross between Christianity and Judaism begins as Antonio and Shylock create a legally binding bond. The bond’s fine print expresses that if Antonio cannot fulfill his debt to Shylock, Shylock will receive a pound of Antonio’s flesh. As learned in the play, Antonio cannot repay his debt and Shylock publically exclaims his need to receive fulfillment of that bond. Hastily, Shylock is determined to obtain his pound of Christian flesh. Shakespeare provides his audience dist...
Happiness is the ultimate goal in life. Utilitarianism is simple, it claims that an action is morally right if and only if doing the action maximizes pleasure. An action is morally wrong if it fails to maximize pleasure. it help people, and morally wrong actions harm people You make people happy when you help them and you make them unhappy when you harm them. In this paper, I will show that Utilitarianism is a true ethical theory because it (benefits the greater good) is encompasses all beings in society, is impartial (nonpartisan). First I will explain why Utilitarianism promotes the greatest pleasure for the most people. Next, I will set out to explain how Utilitarianism would help with societal issues we are facing . Then, I will consider the best objection to Utilitarianism as to a lack of self interest and self good and give my reply.-morally repungnant-
Discrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is clearly evidenced in Shylock, the Jewish usurer. He is treated with scorn and derision by all the characters. Shylock’s misfortunes stem not from poor attributes or even a poor background; it stems from the fact he is Jewish, and what is more, he is impeccably of that distinction.
Shakespeare, William, and Leah S. Marcus. The Merchant of Venice: Authoritative Text, Sources and Contexts, Criticism, Rewritings and Appropriations. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. Print.
It only emphasizes the right actions and right intentions, with the importance of good and benefit by the actions. Deontology is considered as morally good because of the characteristic itself, not because of the product of action is a good thing already. Deontology can be very religious from the divine commandment is part of law. Deontology and Utilitarianism is pretty compatible with each other. Lying is unacceptable, for example, if someone lies in order to bring about desires. Deontologists live in a universe of moral rules, like, killing innocent people, stealing, cheating, or keeping promises. Everyone has a duty to do the right thing, even if it came out badly. Not only to have be motivated, also do the right thing. It is making a decision to whether you do good or bad in life. If we do something on our own choices, we know that is was our duty to do so. According to Kant, “The belief that people out not to be used, but ought to be regarded as having the highest intrinsic value, is central to my ethics, as is having a motive to do what is right,” (Kant
William Shakespeare shows how two tradesmen can have completely different lives when others view them differently in the play The Merchant of Venice. In the play, Bassanio, Antonio’s friend, needs money to pursue his love. They seek a loan from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Antonio’s name. The contract is for three times the value of the bond in three months or else Shylock cuts off a pound of flesh from Antonio. While all this is happening, there are love plots going on. One of which is for Shylock’s daughter to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian. Later on, Antonio’s source of money, his ship, is reported sunken in the English Channel, dooming him to the loss of one pound of his flesh. There is a trial on the bond, and when it seems sure that Antonio will die, Portia, disguised as a doctor of laws legally gets Antonio out of the situation and Shylock recieves harsh penalties. Antonio and Shylock, two similar businessmen of Venice, are viewed differently and are treated oppositely to heighten the drama of the play and mold a more interesting plot.
Shylock is a wealthy Jew who invests money into shipments and trades. When Shylock’s enemy, Antonio, requests a loan of 3000 ducats, “Shylock adopts this Christian model of "kind" lending in his bond with Antonio as a means for lawful revenge.” Shylock’s agreement is that if the ducats are not returned, Antonio must repay his loan in human flesh. This is a way for Shylock to either make money or kill a Christian, either will satisfy him. Lee describes Shylock’s feelings towards Christians, “Indeed, although Shylock will neither "eat," "drink," nor "pray" with the Christians, he is willing to "buy" and "sell" with them.” This is where Shakespeare first introduces the devil inside Shylock. Had Antonio been a Jew, there would not have been a payment of flesh. Shylock’s hatred propels the story from start to finish. His hatred causes him to lose his daughter, drives Portia to use her money and wit to save Antonio, and why he ends up losing
Utilitarianism is known to be the principle of greatest happiness for greatest number of people. Utility is defined as the absence of pain and the pleasure itself which is the reason why it is also called the Greatest Happiness Principle. According to utility an action is considered to be of moral worth if they promote happiness; and it is regarded as wrong if the action increases the pain. Unhappiness means lack of pleasure and pain; and happiness is intended pleasure and absence of pain. According to utilitarianism the only ends which are desirable are pleasure and freedom from pain and are considered to be inherently good.
This means that a person will follow his or her obligations to another individual or society because upholding one 's duty is what is considered ethically correct (1,2). For instance, a deontologist will always keep his promises to a friend and will follow the law. A person who follows this theory will produce very consistent decisions since they will be based on the individual 's set duties.” (Rainbow). Deontology works on the concept “the end does not justify the means” ("Difference Between Utilitarianism and Deontology."). I believe that I will use Deontology in many different situation throughout my life. In my personal life I may find myself in a situation where my friend asks me to pick up his son from school because my friend has another obligation to attend to. According to deontology, the morally correct option would be to pick up his son from school because I would be upholding my duty to my friend. If I did not uphold my duty to my friend by not picking up his son from school, it would be the morally wrong option according to deontology because I did not go through with my obligation. In my professional life I plan to be a pharmacist. Pharmacists have access to many different drugs. A friend could ask me to steal drugs for him. According to deontology, the morally correct option would be to tell my friend that I could not steal
The first theme is that religious intolerance and prejudice play destructive roles in the book. Even to this day, there is racism and prejudice in schools about race and religion. Antonio, as a true Christian, has often condemned moneylenders. He knows that since the early twelfth century, Christians are forbidden by the Church to lend money for profit. Shylock, as a Jew, does not consider his money-lending and overwhelming interest to be a sin in any manner. In fact, he considers his earnings through money lending as the gift of God. He appeals to and quotes the Scriptures in defense of his profession. Shylock and the other Jewish moneylenders are essential to the prosperity of the merchant community, but they are also outcasts as human beings and as Jews. Shylock often shows his dislike to the Christians; “I hate him for he is a Christian”, (Act I, Sc. III, L. 38). The Christians ridicule and hate the Jewish moneylende...