Is The Merchant of Venice an Anti-Semitic Play Essay

Is The Merchant of Venice an Anti-Semitic Play? The Merchant of Venice features a Jewish character that is abused and slandered by nearly every character in the play. Throughout the play the behavior of these characters seems justified. In this way, The Merchant of Venice appears to be an anti-Semitic play. However, The Merchant of Venice contains several key instances, which can be portrayed in a way that criticizes anti-Semitism. The first instance occurs in Act 1, scene 3 when the audience realizes that Shylock has every right to be extremely angry with Antonio. The second instance occurs when Shylock breaks out of his one-dimensional character form in Act 3, scene 1 in an extremely powerful speech that attacks the†¦show more content†¦He declares, Im very glad of it. Ill plague him, Ill torture him, I am glad of it. (3, 1, 115-116) At the end of Act 3, scene 1, Shylocks true motive is revealed. Shylock says, I will have the heart of him if he forfeit, for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will. (3, 1, 125-127) All these comments clearly attempt to paint Shylock as a money-worshipping murderer and not as a person. In every confrontation with Shylock, the other characters attack him with insults that make him appear even viler than his cruel demeanor portrays. There is a common trend throughout the play of demonizing Shylock. In Act 1, scene 2, Antonio counters a legitimate argument that Shylock makes to support his usurping by stating that the devil can cite scripture for his purpose! (1, 3, 107) In Act 2, scene 2, Lancelet Gobbo identifies Shylock as a kind of devil, the devil himself, and the very devil incarnation. (2, 2, 24-28) Solanio identifies Shylock as the devil . . . in the likeness of a Jew (3, 1, 20-22) and Bassanio identifies Shylock the same way, as cruel devil. (4, 1, 225) This repeated characterization is certainly driven hard into the minds of the audienceShow MoreRelatedMerchant Of Venice Anti Semitic Analysis792 Words   |  4 Pagesthat the play Merchant of Venice is anti-semitic, but in reality the characters in the play are the ones who present the prejudices. The characters in the play express their prejudices through their words and actions. The characters in Merchant of Venice say anti-semitic or offensive things to and about characters they have prejudices against and they act differently toward these characters. Though there are many moments in the play where there are anti-semitic actions it is not the play itself thatRead MoreA Study of Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice Essay1540 Words   |  7 PagesA Study of Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice ‘The Merchant of Venice’ was written by Shakespeare in 1596 and appeals to both audiences of comedy and tragedy. 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