Throughout history Jews have been outcasted from the rest of society even though they are equal in all aspects of life besides religion. During the time period that Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice, Jews were not welcomed into cities dominated by Christianity. In the play, the main protagonist Shylock is outcasted from the people of Venice for being Jewish. For being outcasted, Shylock hates the Christians and has no friends among the Venetians. To make a living, Shylock must compete with a direct competitor and Christian, Antonio. Antonio is forced to ask Shylock for money for his best friend Bassanio. Shylock agrees to this loan, however, Shylock makes a contract with Antonio that says he can kill him if the debt is not paid back.
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Because Shylock is a Jew, the people of Venice outcast him, and he is not able to be a Venetian Citizen. Throughout Act one of the play, Shylock is ridiculed by Antonio for being Jewish. Antonio degrades Shylock, and makes him feel as if he is worthless. In Act One Scene Three, Shylock explains the way that Antonio has made him feel Shylock hates Antonio for his faith, and also for the names that Antonio has called him throughout the play. Because of Shylock 's religion, Antonio calls Shylock a misbeliever and a dog, and has also spit on him. In this quote, Shakespeare uses Antonio and the names he calls Shylock as vehicles for the metaphor of religion. In the play, Antonio is used by Shakespeare to show the audience the true ways that the Christians treated the Jewish people during this era. Because of the way that Antonio is able to treat Shylock throughout the play, Shylock will eventually have the opportunity to overpower Antonio and dehumanize him in the same way that was done to …show more content…
Because Shylock shows no mercy on Antonio, the Duke is forced to let Shylock take a pound of Antonio 's flesh. Just as Shylock is about to kill Antonio, Portia discovers a loophole. She reminds Shylock that the bond does not allow any blood loss, and it must be exactly a pound of flesh, no more, no less. Shylock is forced to spare Antonio in the fear of being imprisoned. Portia then states that because Shylock attempted to kill Antonio, he will be forced to give up half of his fortune because the laws of Venice state that any foreigner who attempts to murder a Venetian will be forced to do so. In the first lines of Act Four Scene Two, Portia will send Nerissa to gather Shylock 's wealth In this quote, Shakespeare shows the audience that no matter what the Jews did during this era, the Christians always came out on top. If Shylock were to show mercy and take the money he was offered, he would have proved his point. However, since the Venetians have treated Shylock so poorly, he wanted full revenge on them and all Christians. Once Nerissa arrives at Shylock 's house, he will be forced to give up half of his earnings, which he considers as part of him. Shylock 's life has been ripped apart by the Christians, because he abused his power over
Because Shylock is a Jew, the people of Venice outcast him, and he is not able to be a Venetian Citizen. Throughout Act one of the play, Shylock is ridiculed by Antonio for being Jewish. Antonio degrades Shylock, and makes him feel as if he is worthless. In Act One Scene Three, Shylock explains the way that Antonio has made him feel Shylock hates Antonio for his faith, and also for the names that Antonio has called him throughout the play. Because of Shylock 's religion, Antonio calls Shylock a misbeliever and a dog, and has also spit on him. In this quote, Shakespeare uses Antonio and the names he calls Shylock as vehicles for the metaphor of religion. In the play, Antonio is used by Shakespeare to show the audience the true ways that the Christians treated the Jewish people during this era. Because of the way that Antonio is able to treat Shylock throughout the play, Shylock will eventually have the opportunity to overpower Antonio and dehumanize him in the same way that was done to …show more content…
Because Shylock shows no mercy on Antonio, the Duke is forced to let Shylock take a pound of Antonio 's flesh. Just as Shylock is about to kill Antonio, Portia discovers a loophole. She reminds Shylock that the bond does not allow any blood loss, and it must be exactly a pound of flesh, no more, no less. Shylock is forced to spare Antonio in the fear of being imprisoned. Portia then states that because Shylock attempted to kill Antonio, he will be forced to give up half of his fortune because the laws of Venice state that any foreigner who attempts to murder a Venetian will be forced to do so. In the first lines of Act Four Scene Two, Portia will send Nerissa to gather Shylock 's wealth In this quote, Shakespeare shows the audience that no matter what the Jews did during this era, the Christians always came out on top. If Shylock were to show mercy and take the money he was offered, he would have proved his point. However, since the Venetians have treated Shylock so poorly, he wanted full revenge on them and all Christians. Once Nerissa arrives at Shylock 's house, he will be forced to give up half of his earnings, which he considers as part of him. Shylock 's life has been ripped apart by the Christians, because he abused his power over