Anti Semitism was a strong theme in the Merchant of Venice. This play was considered a comedy in its day which suggests that the English thought it was funny to see Shylock persecuted for believing in the Jewish faith. The friends of Shakespeare who decided that Merchant of Venice was a comedy, justified this by saying the play was about love and marriage. These people left out the part when Shylock lends money to Antonio, ... and but a deal was made that Antonio would pay Shylock or have a pound of flesh removed. Antonio did not repay Shylock, ... yet another hold on you. It is enacted in t...

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• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... 're scared and cautious of their religion, not being tolerated in this country. Throughout the last two thousand years, into the twentieth century, Jews have been the victims of random pogroms. For instance, the crusaders, who sought to rid the holy land of infidels in the middle ages, murdered Jews and pillaged Jewish property whilst travelling to the Middle East. Racism still exists today and in The Merchant of Venice' through the sufferance and rogue ... character of Shylock. Shylock is portrayed as both ... ...

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• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... to believe that if a Jew converted to Christianity, as Shylock is forced to do in The Merchant of Venice, then all will be forgiven as the repentant Jew is now pure of heart. "...some Christians believed that the coming of the Kingdom of God was aided by converting the Jews to Christianity" (Hughes 5). As the play unfolds, Shylock appears to be the villain, but Shakespeare ultimately shows that he is as much a victim ... ultimate message: all humans are flawed. Trivial aspects like race, color, and religious preference, do not affect the natural greed that humans experience. The Merchan...

• Word Count: 1256
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School