merchant of Venice Jewish in the Elizabethan society seen through Shylocks character
The merchant of Venice Jewish in the Elizabethan society seen through Shylocks character The merchant of Venice has been portrayed as an exploration on the issue of racial and religious interaction in the Elizabethan society through financial world. In his play, William Shakespeare portrays Shylock as a usurer who abuses people, which makes him an evil and bloody character. This suggests that Shylocks first motive for the trade with Antonio is blood and murder. By making the Jew character an unscrupulous one, we will see that Shakespeare signs an anti-Semitic work. In order to understand Shylock and his character as usurer in the Elizabethan society, one must be aware of the historical background and the influences under which Shakespeare wrote. Jews in the early England were excluded from the rest of the society, and were seen as outsiders. ... But the fact that the Jewish lender wished to reclaim the debt with interest he often became an object of hatred. ... In fact small groups of Jews wanted refuge in Elizabethan England. ... For the Jewish people living in England, the 16th century was quiet and peaceful and they were still getting along with Christians. ... From the beginning of the play we get the idea that the society which Shakespeare is portraying suffers from racism. ... And during the whole play we feel that there is a constant comparison between the two communities through these two characters. ... He also save Shylocks debtors from the non-payment on their loans and thus prevents Shylock from collecting his legitimate interest. By making Antonios Character a charitable Christian, generous to the point of lending money without interest, Shakespeare creates a real contrast between Christian practices and Jewish ones. ... Shakespeare points out the Christian values and the Jewish egoism and insensitivity in collecting interest from debtors. ... In fact if he murders a rival, he would be released from a heavy weight and could enjoy more prosperous advantages: "He lends our money gratis, and brings down the rate of usance here with us in Venice. ... These show again that the arguments of "The Merchant of Venice" remain on popular thought. Nothing proves that Jewish people are meant to be successful in a specific business, and are more calculator than any other human being. ... And in "The Merchant of Venice" we feel this contrast. ... Shylocks gives to the human flesh a material value which is something that is against Christian values. ... For Christians, Shakespeares text in The Merchant of Venice reinforces the "blood libel" legends. ... This identifies with the stereotype of the Jews in Elizabethan England. There was also a medieval legend which shaped the Jews reputation as heartless murders: "Medieval legend told of the diabolical Jew who trapped a Christian merchant into a bond to surrender a pound of flesh on which the Jew glut his devilish hatred. ... 131) Elizabethan England persisted in keeping the image of the bloodthirsty murders of Jesus who use innocent Christian children for slaughter. ... 111) This speech incites the audience to have compassion for Shylock, who shows to be full of humanity that hides under his public character. ... But Shylocks pledge to behave as badly as they, casts him in a less sympathetic light. ... In order to Show Shylock portrait and the Elizabethan society to a better light, Shakespeare uses another sacred element to the Christian eyes: the family.