Introduction
The merchant of Venice is indeed, Anti Semitic. I know this because of how the Christians in this play seem to target the Jew’s a lot, And also seem to be very disrespectful towards them as well. What I mean by Anti-Semitic? Well this word basically means Hostility/Discrimination against Jews. Which is a very bad racist action that some people still do in the society we live in now. Why do people do it? No idea, all I know is that it is wrong and is a bad thing to do, as the play in the Merchant Of Venice shows us just that.
First of all, Anti-Semitic means discrimination against Jewish people, which has clearly been notified in the play.
Jews Were Separated From The Christians
My first sum of evidence here is the fact how Jewish people and Christian people have to live separate, and even worse that the Jewish people have to live in a ghetto. A Ghetto is ‘a part of a city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups. An isolated or segregated group or area in or restrict to an isolated or segregated area or group.’ This is definitely no doubt a clear piece of evidence of how the Christians were being Anti-Semitic as they were separated from the Christians and were put into a ghetto. This is why I believe that this is evidence for this play being Anti-Semitic.
Shylock Is A Money Lender
My second piece of evidence states how Jews are only allowed to be money lenders. This clarifies how the Christians only allowed the Jewish people to be money lenders and have no other types of jobs at all. The reason why I think this is Anti-Semitic is because, why on earth would Jewish people be set a certain job and no others. Don’t they have freedom? Firstly living in a ghetto. And now only allowed to have one job. This is like before, another reason why this play Merchant Of Venice is Anti-Semitic towards Jews.
‘Three Thousand Ducats’
This quote is spoken by Shylock when he looses his daughter Jessica, when she runs away, changes religion and steals Shylock’s money.
The reason why this is Anti-Semitic is because the first thing he thinks of first is his Ducats. Which is a strange thing for someone to say after loosing a member of their own family. As Jews were known for being ‘Good with money’ then this phase makes fun of that by making it seem that since Shylock is a Jew, then he cares about money more than his daughter. I also know this because the word ‘Ducats’ or ‘Ducat’ in his speech was said 6 times. and the word Daughter/Jessica was said 5 times, so somehow Ducats seem more important to him. This is why the quote
‘Three Thousand Ducats‘ is a good use of evidence to state that this play is Anti-Semitic.
‘A Pound Of Flesh’
This phrase is another piece of evidence that I found. I chose this phrase because it shows a Jewish Stereotype, which Shakespeare has used to make the audience laugh. The play shows Anti-Semitism because of how Shylock wanted a pound of flesh, maybe because of the stereotype of Jews preforming rituals on humans to get their blood. I know this because of this quote here, said by Jessica: ‘That he would rather have Antonio’s flesh than twenty times the value of the sum’ This quote shows this because of how Shylock wanted his blood, and didn’t care how much money people would give him not to do it. This is why I believe that this piece of evidence is a good point to show you that this play is Anti-Semitic.
‘Fair Sir You Spit On Me Wednesday Last’
This quote is a clear evidence of Anti-Semitism. This is because of how Antonio spits on Shylock, and expects nothing of it as he is a ‘Jew’ so he can do whatever he pleases. Antonio also states that he will spit on him again if he wants to. This quote was said during the time when Antonio asked for the 3000 ducats. Plus, as Antonio believes that Shylock’s only job is a ‘Money Lender’ then he would accept it. Antonio also calls Shylock a dog, and just expects Shylock to let it go as he is a ‘Jew’ and wouldn’t just say no to the offer. In return to this Shylock questions how a dog can lend people money ‘Hath a dog money? Is it possible a cur can lend three thousand ducats?’ This is why I believe that this quote is evidence for this play being Anti-Semitic.
‘Thou Naughty gaoler’
This quote is another piece of evidence to state how this play is Anti-Semitic. This line was said by Shylock when the gaoler let Antonio out of his cell to speak with Shylock. I chose this quote because since Antonio is a Christian he is let out of his cell to speak with Shylock. Yet if it was Shylock asking to let out of his jail to speak with Antonio for any type of matter, they will say no say no as he is a ‘Jew.’ This is why I believe that this quote is evidence for this play being Anti-Semitic.
Comedy play
This phrase is another valid point on how the Merchant Of Venice Anti-Semitic. I know this because of how Jews were treated in this play. Jews were treated like animals, the Christians didn’t seem to care about them at all. They spit on Jews, call them dogs and other horrible words. The reason why I believe that this play being a comedy explains how it is Anti-Semitic is clearly because Shakespeare wants us to think that treating Jews bad is funny, and is all just a laugh when clearly it is not and it is a terrible thing to do nowadays. This is why I think that this play being a Comedy explains how it is also Anti-Semitic.
So from all the evidence and explanations of my points given, this is why I believe that the Merchant Of Venice is Anti-Semitic.
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