The Concept of Discrimination in the Play “the Merchant of Venice”

📌Category: Plays, The Merchant of Venice
📌Words: 729
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 21 June 2022

Throughout the play “The Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare, readers get a glimpse into the life of Shylock, a Jewish man who makes his living as a moneylender in Venice. Through his interactions and his personal thoughts, readers can infer he is a character that faces constant disrespect and discrimination. Through these acts of disrespect and discrimination displayed upon Shylock, readers discover that he feels he must reciprocate disrespect towards people who are also disrespectful towards him. This leads Shylock to be perceived as the villain of the play; but he is truly a victim of antisemitism and therefore a product of his environment.

During the first encounter with Shylock in Act 1, scene 3. It is made abundantly clear to the readers the harmful environment and people Shylock must deal with in his day-to-day life. This is seen when Shylock makes it aware to the readers that Antonio, the protagonist of the play, has constantly insulted Shylock and has spoken poorly on his religion, making such statements as “misbeliever” “cutthroat dog” and Antonio has spat upon his Jewish gaberdine, through this encounter readers cannot help but feel enormous sympathy for Shylock; he faces a substantial amount of discrimination leading him no choice but to reciprocate this act of discrimination back to those who have mistreated him and disrespected him, thus allowing Shylock to be perceived as the villain in the Christian eyes. However, not only has Antonio insulted Shylock, but so has Lancelot making such claims as: “Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation.” (Act. 2 Sc. 2 lns. 26-27) This exemplifies how even when Shylock is not around, people will speak lowly of him. This would not be the only time Shylock has been perceived as a victim of antisemitism and hatred.

The concept of discrimination is further illustrated in Act 4, scene 1. During this scene, Antonio and Shylock are in court over a bond; the bond required a payment from Antonio of three thousand ducats over a three-month period; however, if the sum is not paid off. Shylock is owed a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Subsequently, Antonio did not fulfill this required payment, thus leading to the court scene. In the first few sentences, readers can identify the heavy favoritism towards Antonio; this can be seen in this statement by the Duke, “I am sorry for thee, thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, Uncapable of pity, void and empty from any dram of mercy.” (Act. 4 Sc. 8 lns 3-6) This statement by the Duke further exemplifies the intense discrimination Shylock continuously faces. Not only is Shylock treated with substantial bias, but is heavily insulted by the law hearing terms such as the “Jew” and “Alien.”  

However, not only are people against Shylock, but the law is too, which can be seen in Act 4, scene 1, when Portia, disguised as a lawyer, states: “Tarry a little. There is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood. The words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh.’ Take then they bond, take thou thy pound of flesh, but in the cutting it, if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice.” (Act. 4 Sc. 1 lns. 318-325) Readers can infer that Venice is a highly antisemitic state, due to how it states, “One drop of Christian blood.” By specifically referencing Christian blood it makes the Jewish religion dehumanized, later in this act readers are aware of another law set in Venice that completely dehumanizes the Jewish community once again, “It is enacted in the laws of Venice, if it be proved against an alien that by direct or indirect attempts He seek the life of any citizen,” (Act.4 Sc. 1 lns 363-366) This statement further expresses the bias towards Christians that unfairly targets the Jewish community in Venice. The targeting the Jewish community does not end there, it continues to be shown when Shylock’s verdict is announced, which states, “He presently become Christian;” (Act. 4 Sc. 1 Lns. 403) by distinctly stating he must become Christian, further shows the heavy bias and favoritism towards its Christians within Venice.

In conclusion, Shylock is a man who is met with constant discrimination, within this antisemitic environment. Causing him to feel forced to reciprocate this act of disrespect and discrimination towards those who discriminate against him. To Shylock, this is a form of defense, but to the Christians this is seen as hatred. With this combination of events and an antisemitic environment, Shylock is perceived to be the villain of the play, but in truth he is merely a victim of antisemitism and bias.

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