Although one is able to find a lot bias towards Jews in the play The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare is not to be blamed as an anti-Judaic person. Regarding the historical background and the probability of him not knowing a Jewish person, Shakespeare is to be declared as a typical mind of the Elizabethan age. The mentality of the Elizabethan age is resembled in the plot, therefore it was easy for the audience to understand and laugh about this comedy, particularly about the image of the Jew Shylock.
Shylock himself has a dominant aversion towards Christians and it is not mentioned whether this attitude derives from his sufferance or is a streak of him. The reader of the past-holocaust-age has a tendency to criticize the Christian behaviour throughout the plot, to feel pity with Shylock and to defend his actions and conduct.
A lot of evidence demonstrate fundamental differences and bias between the Jews and Christians in the play The Merchant of Venice. But one ought always consider the time, when the play was written, and the audience, for whom it was written. Fact is that Jews as Christians both pretend to act pious but evidently do not.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1.0 The historical background of Jews in the Middle Ages respectivley during the Elizabethan age
1.1 Shakespeare’s knowledge of Hebraic Accompany
2.0 Shylock’s attitude towards Christians
2.1 Jewish bias
2.2 Shylock’s defendence
3.0 Attitude towards Jews and Christians by authorities
3.1 The form of address towards Shylock
3.2 The treatment of Shylock
3.3 The form of address and treatment towards Antonio
4.0 The protait of the Christans in The Merchant of Venice
4.1 Proof for Christian behaviour
4.1.1 Portia’s request for mercy
4.1.2 Antonio’s charity and Christian values
4.2 Christian hypocrisy
4.3 Jessica’s conversion
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the complex religious and racial interactions in William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," specifically focusing on the dichotomy between Jewish and Christian characters within the context of Elizabethan society.
- The historical context of Jewish exclusion in Elizabethan England.
- Shylock's characterization and his defense against religious prejudice.
- The role of state authority in reinforcing religious bias through legal treatment.
- The critique of hypocrisy within Christian values and behaviors in the play.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Shylock’s defense
Shylock finds himself in the constant situation of defending himself and his religious beliefs against Christian verbal or physical attacks. That is why he says in Act III, Scene I, line 52-64:
“I am a Jew. Hath / not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, / senses, affectins, passions? fed with the same / food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the / same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed / and cooled 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 poison us do we / not die? and if you wrong us shall we not revenge? - / if we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in / that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? / revenge! If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his / sufferance be by Christian example? – why revenge!”.
Shylock questions the difference of Judaism and Christianity made by society in terms of value judgement.
Shakespeare’s depiction of Shylock probably causes both hate and pity of the man by the audience during the Elizabethan age and of course nowadays. On the one hand, he is a complex character with a rather unpleasant personal trait of being a calculating businessman, who even links flesh and money to be equal.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the publication history of the play and sets the stage for the analysis of racial and religious conflicts.
1.0 The historical background of Jews in the Middle Ages respectivley during the Elizabethan age: Explains the historical context of Jewish expulsion from England and how these conditions shaped the contemporary view of Jews.
1.1 Shakespeare’s knowledge of Hebraic Accompany: Discusses the likely lack of personal contact Shakespeare had with Jewish individuals and his reliance on urban legends and existing biases.
2.0 Shylock’s attitude towards Christians: Examines Shylock as the primary representative of the Jewish community and his defensive reaction to prejudice.
2.1 Jewish bias: Analyzes Shylock's calculated interactions with Christians and his internal justifications for maintaining separation.
2.2 Shylock’s defendence: Highlights Shylock’s rhetorical defense against dehumanization by questioning the inherent differences between Jews and Christians.
3.0 Attitude towards Jews and Christians by authorities: Analyzes how the Duke of Venice reflects the power dynamics and biased treatment of the state towards Jews versus Christians.
3.1 The form of address towards Shylock: Illustrates how the Duke’s way of addressing Shylock explicitly minimizes his humanity and reduces him to his religious status.
3.2 The treatment of Shylock: Explores the procedural inequalities in the courtroom that favor the Christian merchant over the Jewish claimant.
3.3 The form of address and treatment towards Antonio: Contrasts the Duke’s supportive behavior toward Antonio with his hostile stance toward Shylock.
4.0 The protait of the Christans in The Merchant of Venice: Investigates the disparity between the proclaimed values of the Christian characters and their actual conduct.
4.1 Proof for Christian behaviour: Documents instances where Christian characters articulate high moral principles.
4.1.1 Portia’s request for mercy: Analyzes Portia's influential monologue regarding mercy and its alignment with Elizabethan religious standards.
4.1.2 Antonio’s charity and Christian values: Reviews Antonio's behavior and self-perception in the context of Christian virtue and self-sacrifice.
4.2 Christian hypocrisy: Discusses the ultimate outcome of the trial as evidence of systemic Christian hypocrisy.
4.3 Jessica’s conversion: Describes Jessica’s abandonment of her heritage as a strategic move for social integration.
Conclusion: Summarizes the analysis, arguing that the play reflects the era's biases rather than specific anti-Judaic intent by Shakespeare.
Keywords
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare, Shylock, Elizabethan age, Jewish identity, Christianity, religious prejudice, usury, hypocrisy, legal authority, mercy, social pressure, Antonio, Portia, racial interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work examines the religious and social divide between Jewish and Christian characters in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," exploring how these tensions are framed by historical context and character dynamics.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The study centers on religious bias, the hypocrisy of characters acting under the guise of Christian virtue, the role of legal authority, and the historical reality of Jews in Elizabethan society.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how the play portrays the interaction between Jews and Christians and whether the text itself confirms or critiques the religious prejudices of its time.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, contextualizing the play's dialogue and events within the historical and religious climate of the late 16th century.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the historical background of Jews in England, the character development of Shylock, the biased treatment by legal authorities like the Duke of Venice, and the examination of Christian moral hypocrisy.
Which terms best characterize this analysis?
Key terms include "Christian hypocrisy," "Elizabethan anti-Judaism," "Shylock's defense," "social pressure," and "religious bias."
How does the author characterize Shylock’s motivation?
The author views Shylock as a complex character whose defensive and aggressive attitude toward Christians is largely a reaction to the persistent systemic defamation and social exclusion he faces.
Does the author believe Shakespeare was inherently anti-Judaic?
The author concludes that Shakespeare should not be definitively labeled as anti-Judaic, but rather as a product of his time, reflecting the general mentality and urban legends prevalent in the Elizabethan age.
- Quote paper
- Claudia Oldiges (Author), 2002, Jews and Christians in The Merchant of Venice, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/58918
