Background and Influence Merchant of Venice - 1447 Words

In England, during the lifetime of William Shakespeare, oppression was occurring against people of different races, ethnicities, and even genders. The religious conflicts stemmed from the differing translations of G-ds word. This created conflicts and segregation by religion, turning some people into aliens in their own country. The battles existed between Catholics, Jews, and Protestants although, for the majority of the time, the Protestants pitted the Jews and Catholics on the same side, against themselves. In The Merchant of Venice, a play that was later dubbed a comedy, tragedy was just as evident. I believe that the tragedy of the play was the reality of the situation the play encompassed. It cannot be a coincidence that†¦show more content†¦Catholics believed that faith in the lord will earn the mercy necessary for his grace. For Christians, Salvation now depended on having faith in Gods merciful grace, rather than performing the law. (Kaplan 244). When Jews asserted the want of justice and law, Christians therefore took it as a rejection of G-d. This labeling of law-abiding Jews led to an eventual stereotype of Jews being inherently evil sinners. Conversely, the Protestants basically used the Jews to validate their reasons for forming their own church, Protestants turned to the Jews, especially as the preservers of the Hebrew Bible, as a source of legitimacy by which they could justify their practices. Basing their arguments on close readings of the Bible, Protestants proved the divine authenticity of their reforms and exposed the human artificiality of Catholic beliefs and rites. (Kaplan 245). As I mentioned earlier, Shylock is considered less of a man for his usurious practices in money-lending. Shylock embodies the oppressed people of the times. He is a man who is not from Venice, an alien, and who is victimized for who he is; in other words, for something that he cannot control. On the other hand, upon examination of Shylocks lifestyle, it is found that he is like the Christian merchants of Venice, in that he strives to be affluent. Without being pegged with the stereotype associated with being a Jew, we find that he lives the same lifestyle as a VenetianShow MoreRelated Mens Control in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice1437 Words   |  6 PagesMens Control in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the scene opens to reveal a society controlled by men. Men, who live in the foreground of Venetian society, wield their power in business, government, and family life. In the background, women conduct their lives quietly. They are subservient to their husbands and fathers and are regarded as helpless and in need of male guidance in areas of decision making. Though in Shakespeare’s timeRead MoreEssay on Discrimination in The Merchant of Venice1400 Words   |  6 PagesDiscrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is evidenced clearly in Shylock, the Jewish usurer. He is treated with scorn and derision by all the characters. Shylock’s misfortunes stem not from poor attributes or even a poor background; it stems from the fact he is Jewish, and what is more, he is impenitent of that distinction. If he had been more daunted by Chri stian influence, he might have been forgiven, as JessicaRead MoreDiscrimination in The Merchant of Venice Essay1410 Words   |  6 PagesThe Merchant of Venice Discrimination is a resounding theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All of the characters are affected by inequality. This inequity is evidenced clearly in Shylock, the Jewish usurer. He is treated with scorn and derision by all the characters. 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Stoll argues: A miser, a money-lender, a Jew – a ll three had from time immemorial been objects of popular detestationRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice Essay1624 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeare s comedy The Merchant of Venice uses contrasting religions to draw out major themes through the ethnic divides that are exemplified. The play expresses the extreme cultural divide between the Jews and Christians through a legal contract between two men. The rivalry between the two men, Shylock and Antonio is clear from the beginning of the play and only intensifies as it continues on. 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Shakespeare is one of the most influential historic figures the world has ever known and his works will always be well known. He may be one of the greatest playwrights the world has ever seen, but William Shakespeare has a relatively unknown background. The only concrete records of