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

The Role of Prejudice In The merchandiser of VeniceThis report discusses the subject of prejudice in the William Shakespeareplay, The Merchant of Venice.I. IntroductionWilliam Shakespeares satirical comedy, The Merchant of Venice, believedto have been written in 1596 was an examination of hatred and greed. The premisedeals with the antipathetic relationship between Shylock, a Jewish money-lenderand Antonio, the Christian merchant, who is as open-hearted as Shylock is greedy,particularly with his friend, Bassanio. The two have cemented a archives 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 link him.Antonio borrows the money from Shylock, and kno extension service he willsoon have several(prenominal) ships in port, agrees to part with a pound of flesh if theloan is not repaid within t hree months. Shylocks abhorrence of Antonio isfurther fueled by his young lady Jessicas elopement with Lorenzo, another friendof Antonios.Meanwhile, at Belmont, Portia is being courted by Bassanio, and weddingplans wrap up when, in accordance with her fathers will, Bassanio is asked tochoose from three caskets -- one gold, one gold 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 serve Antonio in court.Indesperation, Portia disguises herself as a lawyer and arrives in Venice with herclerk (Nerissa) to solicit the case.She reminds Shylock that he can only collectthe flesh that the accord calls for, and that if any blood is shed, hisprope rty will be confiscated.At this point, Shylock agrees to take for granted the moneyinstead of the flesh, but the court punishes him for his greed by forcing him to develop a Christian and turn over half of his property to his take out daughter,Jessica.II.BodyPrejudice is a dominant theme in The Merchant of Venice, close to notablytaking the form of anti-semitism.Shylock is stereotypically described ascostumed in a recognizably Jewish way in a capacious 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 incessantly reminding him he is different in religion, looks, andmotivation.He finds solace in the law because he, himself, is an castaway of