The Theme Of Prejudice In The Merchant Of Venice - 1058 Words

Prejudice is a central theme of Shakespeare’s â€Å"The Merchant of Venice†, specifically that between Christians and Jews in the city. The religious tension is demonstrated by the relationship of Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, and Antonio, the Christian he is doing business with. Throughout â€Å"The Merchant of Venice†, Shylock is viewed as a greedy monster, since he works as a moneylender, while Antonio is viewed in a positive light by all, especially when he, with some help from friends, was able to outsmart Shylock for the debt owed to him. In the play, Shylock worked as a moneylender, someone who would lend money when someone is in need, but would expect it to be paid back in full, with interest. Moneylenders were viewed in a negative†¦show more content†¦The Biblical Israelites had faced oppression from the moment a new king came into power and feared their large population. The new king said, â€Å"‘See! The Israelite people have multipl ied and become more numerous than we are! / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase; / otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies to fight against us / and so leave the land.’...The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied / and spread, so that the Egyptians began to loathe the Israelites. / So the Egyptians reduced the Israelites to cruel slavery, / making life bitter for them with hard labor, at more and brick and all kinds of field work / --cruelly oppressed in all their labor.† (Exodus, Chapter 1. 8-14) Like Shylock, these people were limited to what jobs they could do (seeing how they were slaves) and were treated unkindly for their belief system, a belief system that does not infringe on others. The Israelites had faced people who believed they were monsters they could control and manipulate, just as Antonio and Bassanio had planned to do to Shylock. Shylock says, speaking about Antonio treating him different solely on t he basis of him following a different faith, â€Å"He hath disgraced me, and hindered me / half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, / scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my / friends, heated mine enemies; and what’s his reason? I am a / Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands,Show MoreRelatedThe Theme of Prejudice in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1168 Words   |  5 PagesThe Theme of Prejudice in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, there are two main themes, prejudice, and loyalty. Prejudice is the more evident theme and is shown in many different aspects through the characters and plot. Shylock and Antonio demonstrate religious discrimination between Christians and Jews. Portia and her suitors display racial discrimination. 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