The Role Of Prejudice In The Merchant Of Venice :: The Merchant Of Venice

The Role of Prejudice In The Merchant of VeniceThis paper discusses the subject of prejudice in the William Shakespeareplay, The Merchant of Venice.I. IntroductionWilliam Shakespeares satirical comedy, The Merchant of Venice, believedto keep up been written in 1596 was an examination of hatred and greed. The premisedeals with the antagonistic relationship between Shylock, a Judaic m maviny-lenderand Antonio, the Christian merchant, who is as generous as Shylock is greedy,particularly with his friend, Bassanio. The two have ce mented a history ofpersonal insults, and Shylocks loathing of Antonio intensifies when Antoniorefuses to collect interest on loans. Bassanio wishes to borrow 3,000 ducats fromAntonio so that he may journey to Belmont and ask the beautiful and wealthyPortia to marry him.Antonio borrows the money from Shylock, and knowing he willsoon have several ships in port, agrees to part with a pound of flesh if theloan is not repaid within three months. Shylocks abhorrence of Antonio isfurther fueled by his miss Jessicas elopement with Lorenzo, another friendof Antonios.Meanwhile, at Belmont, Portia is being butterflyed by Bassanio, and weddingplans continue when, in accordance with her fathers will, Bassanio is asked tochoose from three caskets -- one gold, one silver and one lead.Bassaniocorrectly selects the lead casket that contains Portias picture.The couplesjoy is short-lived, however, when Bassanio receives a letter from Antonio,informing him of the loss of his ships and of Shylocks determination to carryout the terms of the loan.Bassanio and Portia marry, as do his friend, Gratianoand Portias maid, Nerissa.The men return to Venice, but are unable to assist Antonio in court.Indesperation, Portia disguises herself as a lawyer and arrives in Venice with herclerk (Nerissa) to argue the case.She reminds Shylock that he trick only collectthe flesh that the agreement calls for, and that if any blood is shed, hisproperty will be confiscated.At thi s point, Shylock agrees to accept the moneyinstead of the flesh, but the court punishes him for his greed by forcing him tobecome a Christian and turn over half of his property to his estranged daughter,Jessica.II.BodyPrejudice is a dominant theme in The Merchant of Venice, most notablytaking the form of anti-semitism.Shylock is stereotypically described ascostumed in a recognizably Jewish way in a long gown of gabardine, probablyblack, with a red beard and/or wing like that of Judas, and a hooked putty noseor nursing bottle nose (Charney, p. 41). Shylock is a defensive character becausesociety is constantly reminding him he is different in religion, looks, andmotivation.He finds solace in the law because he, himself, is an outcast of