Essay on Prejudice in William Shakespeares The Merchant...

Prejudice in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice The main theme of the Merchant of Venice is of Shylock, a Jew, and Antonio, a Christian taking part in a deal involving the Jew lending the Christian a sum of money. The bond they make is that if Antonio cannot pay Shylock back, Shylock can take legally a pound of Antonios flesh as payment. The other plots in the play consist of Jessica, Shylocks daughter eloping with Lorenzo, another Christian and Antonios friend Bassanio, who is courting a rich lady, Portia of Beaumont who are both of course Christian. Shylock and Tubal, his Jewish associate, both receive verbal abuse from the Christian groups e.g. Solanio: The villain Jew with†¦show more content†¦This would mean that a suitor if he chooses the wrong box, would have to leave and live forever as a bachelor. One suitor, a prince of Morocco, arrives only to choose the wrong casket and as he is leaving Portia jokes with her servant Nerissa: Portia: A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. Let all of his complexion choose me so ======================================= This comes across as Portia mocking the princes black skin and blotches the kind and considerate image of Portia that has been projected to the reader in earlier scenes. Throughout the play, Shylock is continually mocked and projected as an evil man. His daughter, Jessica eloping with Christian Lorenzo, and taking money and jewels with her, seems to be a the subject of a sub plot written with the purpose to ridicule and mock Shylock even more than would normally be acceptable. Even when Shylock attempts to stand up for himself and his beliefs, the way in which he does this seems to give the other characters in the play even more reason to mock him. Shylock: Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last, You spurned me such a day, another time --------------------------------------- You called me a dog, and for these courtesies, Ill lend you thus much moneys? The Christians reactions to these statements are continually of ridicule and contempt towards the JewShow 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. The aim of this essay is to discuss the theme of prejudiceRead MorePrejudice, Racism and Anti-Semitism in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice2810 Words   |  12 PagesPrejudice, Racism and Anti-Semitism in William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, there is a strong theme of prejudice. 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