In Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, the Jewish character of Shylock refers to the biblical story of
Jacob tricking his uncle Laban (1.3.68-98) by tampering with the procreative process of Laban's
flock of sheep (Genesis 30.25-43). In the following, I will try to point out why Shylock tells this
story, and in which literary context he ruminates upon it. Besides a critical comparison of how his
speech interacts with the original biblical story, I will furthermore discuss this analogy foremost in
terms of its religious and dramatic functions within the play. Against this background, it will be
made evident that 'usury' as a negative Jewish stereotype, presumed by the judging eyes of medieval
Christians, is put in the centre of consideration here. It will be argued that as a general declaration in
MoV, a superiority of the New Testament to the Old Testament, of Christianity to Judaism, can be
derived, and that this conclusion is strongly linked with the majoritarian mindset in Shakespeare's
times and cultural sphere, rather than with Shakespeare's personal attitude towards Jews or Judaism,
an often supposed attitude of unprovable nature.
Table of Contents
1. Christianity versus Judaism in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper examines the religious and dramatic representation of the character Shylock in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," exploring the tension between Old and New Testament interpretations and the influence of the majoritarian Christian mindset in Elizabethan England.
- The intersection of Jewish stereotypes, usury, and the character of Shylock.
- Biblical allusions and their role in constructing Jewish identity within the play.
- The evolution of the conflict between Jewish revenge and Christian mercy.
- The debate regarding Shakespeare’s personal stance on anti-Semitism versus the dramatic requirements of his time.
- Sociological perspectives on the "othering" of Jews in historical drama.
Excerpt from the Book
The Equalization of Jew and Devil
The interconnection of Jews and money can be traced back to the story of Judas in the New Testament: "Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?' And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus." (John 26:14-16). In 1179 Catholic representatives on the III Consilium Lateranum had prohibited moneylending at interest for Christians. It even became part of the seven deadly sins. Every margin of profit that was not achieved by enhancing the condition of goods through someone's own efforts was considered being usury. Since Jews were not allowed to learn a trade or to purchase property, moneylending was one of the remaining types of activity for them in order to make a living. The customers of the disdained Jews were people who were not creditworthy anywhere else, and therefore had to pay high interests. This fact also added to the image of the Jewish profiteer.
Summary of Chapters
1. Christianity versus Judaism in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice: This chapter analyzes how Shakespeare integrates biblical motifs to construct the character of Shylock and examines the resulting interplay between Jewish and Christian values within the play's dramatic framework.
Keywords
Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, Anti-Semitism, Judaism, Christianity, Usury, Biblical Allegory, Elizabethan Drama, Mercy, Justice, Cultural Mindset, Literary Criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the religious and dramatic characterization of Shylock in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," specifically addressing the negative stereotypes of Jews linked to usury and religion in the Elizabethan era.
What are the main thematic fields explored?
The research explores the intersection of religious doctrine (New vs. Old Testament), historical economic pressures on Jewish communities, and the literary construction of the "villainous" Jewish figure.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to determine whether the portrayal of Shylock reflects Shakespeare's personal prejudices or if it functions as a dramatic tool to mirror the prevailing anti-Semitic mindset and Christian societal values of the 16th century.
Which methodology is applied?
The author employs a literary and text-immanent analysis, utilizing historical context, theological comparisons of biblical allusions, and sociological theories regarding the "other."
What does the main body cover?
The body analyzes the biblical story of Jacob and Laban as a starting point, the theological equalization of Jews with the devil, and the conflict between the concepts of legal justice and Christian mercy in the courtroom scene.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Shakespeare, Shylock, Anti-Semitism, Christianity, Judaism, Usury, Biblical Allegory, and Literary Criticism.
How does the author interpret the term "nature" in the play?
The author argues that "nature" is used to create a binary opposition between the "evil" Jew and the "kind" Christian, serving as a rhetorical strategy to justify societal prejudice during the period.
Does the author conclude that Shakespeare was an anti-Semite?
The author remains cautious, suggesting that while the play contains strong anti-Semitic tropes, it is difficult to distinguish the playwright's personal views from the necessity of catering to the expectations and cultural biases of the contemporary audience.
- Citar trabajo
- Andrea Oberheiden (Autor), 2008, Christianity versus Judaism in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138271
