The Merchant of Venice Essay

A detailed Summary of The Merchant of Venice Essay

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice contains many examples that insult Jews because they were the minority in London in Shakespeare's time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times, Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of London's population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living there. Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice supports anti-Semitism actions and thoughts and therefore proves that Shakespeare was an anti-Semite.

In the second act, Launcelot is debating with himself whether or not he should seek a new employer. Launcelot's problem is that he works for Shylock, who is Jewish. Launcelot persuades himself that, "Certainly the Jew [Shylock] is the very devil incarnation..." (2.2.24) Eventually, Launcelot convinces himself that he would much rather run away than be ruled by a Jew.

Throughout The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare uses examples of anti-Semitism. An Elizabethan audience would have perceived these situations as humorous because it was their reality. But to a Semite or a modern audience, this play may seem offensive and attacking. Launcelot decided to find a new master because he thought that being around Jews was dangerous to his health and mind. Lorenzo stated that the only way Shylock would get to heaven is by his gentle daughter (because she converted to Christianity). And Launcelot told Jessica that she was damned because she was born Jewish. The three discussed are only a few of the insulting situations that Shakespeare presents for Jews and modern audiences in The Merchant of Venice that prove that he was anti-Semitic.

Lorenzo insults Shylock behind his back when he tells Jessica (Shylock's daughter) that if Shylock ever makes it to heaven, it

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Approximate Word count = 603
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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The Merchant of Venice Essay

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