Merchant of the Venice

Religion was a major factor in the Shakespeare’s play Merchant of Venice. It was more

than a belief in a higher being. It reflected moral standards and ways of living. Shakespeare

writes this drama from a Christian point of view he illustrates religion by conflicts of the Old

Testament and the New Testament in Venetian society and is court of low. The play takes place

in Venice. It draws attention to the harsh divides in the Venetian society brought on by

conflicting beliefs and religions. This was written in 1958 by William Shakespeare. People back

then were quite prejudiced towards any race that was not Christian. They would have hated Jews.

Society tends to define people as being either victims or villains due to the actions, beliefs and

decisions present in their lives. In the play Christian looked upon with more respected and honor.

Whereas, Jews are looked down and disrespected. The Jews are the victims of Christians in

many ways throughout this play. The character of Shylock has also been the subject of much

critical debate: How are we meant to evaluate the attitude of the Venetians in the play toward

him? Or his attitude toward them? Is he a bloodthirsty villain? Or is he a man "more sinned

against than sinning"? This paper will highlight the historical conflict between Christians and

Jews, how religious hampers father- daughters and how the antagonist Shylock responded to the

prevalent anti-Semitic society.

The long history of anti-Semitic stories and attitudes that shaped the world of the play.

The plays controversial history stands as part of its value; it serves as lens through which we can

understand our post and a mirror in which we can examine our own. This play brings out the

conflict between these two seeming rival religions, the Christianity and the Judaism.
Traditionally there has been hatred and enmity between the Jews and the Christians because; the

Christians accused the Jew of killing, Jews while the Jew never accepted Jesus as their messiah.

The trial in the court of the Duke of Venice contains the great climax of the play. Firstly,

Christians thought that Jews are responsibility for the death of Jews. Secondly, Jews charged

interest on their loans whereas, Christians who believed usury or moneylending with interest was

sinful. As we can see in play Shylock being a Jew is hated by Christians. Also Shylock hates

Antonio because he is a Christian and because on one occasion, Antonio spat on Shylock for

being a Jew. Initially, in the court scene we can see that Shylock has been trapped by Portia.

Portia went to the court by dressed as a male lawyer who was in fair of Antonio.

According to an article titled, “The Judgment against Shylock in the Merchant of Venice.” It is

mentioned that:

What now follows is a criminal case against Shylock. After pronouncing the entire

judgment, Portia says once again, pronouncing the entire judgment, Portia says once

again, "Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh." But Portia indicates again the

consequences of the drawing of blood: death and the confiscation of property. Shylock

now, after a further attempt to save his capital, with- draws his claim to the exaction of

the penalty and will go with these words:- "I'll stay no longer question." But Portia will

not allow him to go; she explains to him instead that although he has avoided the charge

of having drawn blood, has already laid himself open to another charge. He has already

committed a crime ‘which the law of Venice punishes with death loss of property. It is

enacted in the laws of Venice If it be proved against an alien That by direct or indirect

attempts He seeks the life of any citizen, The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive

Shall seize one-half his goods; the other half Comes to the privy coffer of the state; And
 the offender's life lies in the mercy Of the Duke only, 'gainst all other voice." The Doge

then declares: That thou shalt see the difference of our spirits, I pardon thee thy life

before thou ask it: For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's; the other half comes to the general

state, which humbleness may drive into a fine. (Niemeyer)

The trial in the court of the Duke of Venice contains the great climax of the play. Unwilling to

simply nullify a contract, the Duke calls upon Portia, disguised as a male lawyer, to argue on

behalf of Antonio. When Shylock refuses to show mercy, she finds a flaw in the contract:

Shylock’s agreement with Antonio mentioned flesh–but said nothing about blood. If, in the

process of collecting Antonio’s flesh, Shylock were to be guilty of shedding Antonio’s blood,

then Shylock’s property would have to be confiscated by the state of Venice. Portia even goes a

step further, and points out that Shylock is a Jew (therefore an alien) who has attempted to take

the life of a Venetian citizen, and this crime is punishable by death. While the Duke pardons

Shylock’s life, he forces him to convert to Christianity and leave his entire fortune to Jessica,

Shylock’s daughter, who had recently converted to Christianity. Portia not only releases Antonio

from his bond, but effectively strips Shylock of both his religion and his livelihood, rendering

him unable to inflict, or even threaten, further damage. This outcome is little surprising given

that the circumstances of the trial seem designed to ensure Shylock’s defeat. She urges Shylock

to continue collecting his pound of flesh, but reminds him that if a drop of blood is spilled, then

he will be guilty of conspiring against the life of a Venetian citizen and all his lands and goods

will be confiscated by the state. Stunned, Shylock hastily backpedals, agreeing to accept three

times the sum, but Portia is insistent, saying that Shylock must have the pound of flesh or

nothing. When Shylock finds out that he cannot even take the original three thousand ducats in
place of the pound of flesh, he drops the case, but Portia stops him, reminding him of the penalty

that noncitizens face when they threaten the life of a Venetian. In such a case, Portia states, half

of Shylock’s property would go to the state, while the other half would go to the offended party

—namely, Antonio. Portia orders Shylock to beg for the duke’s mercy. This punishment was

unfair. It was so harsh punishment for him. He did not deserve such harsh punishment.

Moreover, Generosity appears to be the core difference between Christian and Jewish

moneylenders in the play. Antonio thinks it is his Christian duty to lend money to friend’s

interest free. But Shylock took revenge by asking extra interest from Christians. Shylock’s

portrayal as a moneylender is offer interpreted as anti-Semitic.

According to an article titled, “The Judgment against Shylock in the Merchant of Venice.” It is

mentioned that:

Before I attempt to explain the foundations of this conviction I shall recall briefly the

facts in the case between Shylock and Antonio. Bassanio loved Portia, the much courted

mistress of Belmont. Through extravagant habits he lost not only his own fortune, but had

already made a large loan from his friend Antonio, who loved him tenderly. Bassanio

would now sue for Portia's hand but he lacks the funds to make an appearance suitable to

his station in life. For this reason he begs Antonio for a new loan. All of Antonio's money

is engaged in his shipping interests. He says:

 Thou know'st that all my fortunes are at sea;

Neither have I money nor commodity

To raise a present sum; therefore go forth;

Try what my credit can in Venice do:

That shall be rack'd, even to the uttermost,

To furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia.

Go, presently inquire, and so will I,

Where money is; and I no question make,

To have it of my trust, or for my sake.

Bassanio goes to Shylock and requests a loan of 3000 ducats for 3 months with Antonio

as surety. (Niemeyer)

Shylock agrees to loan Bassanio three thousand ducats for a term of three months. Bassanio

assures Shylock that Antonio will guarantee the loan. But Shylock did not believed because

Antonio’s wealth is currently invested in business. But, however, Shylock decides to give loan

but he showed his hatred for him. Shylock says, Antonio is a Christian who lends money without

interest, which makes more difficult the practice of usury. Where is no interest. Antonio makes it

clear to Shylock that he is not in the habit of borrowing or lending money. But has decided to

make an exception on behalf of his friend Bassanio. Their conversation leads Antonio to chastise

the business of usury, which Shylock defends as a way to thrive. He calculates the interest on

Bassanio’s loan, Then he remembers the many times that Antonio has cursed him calling

misbelieve, cut- throat, dog and spit upon Jewish gabardine.

According to an article titled, “The Judgment against Shylock in the Merchant of Venice.” It is

mentioned that:

The agreement arose in this way. Antonio asks:

Well, Shylock shall we be beholding to You?

Shy- Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my

moneys and my usances: Still have I borne it with a patient shrug; For sufferance is the

badge of all our tribe, You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish

gaberdine, And all for use of that which is mine own. Well then, it now appears you need

my help: Go to, then; you come to me, and you say 'Shylock, we would have moneys':

you say so; You that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me as you spurn a

stranger cur Over your threshold: moneys is your suit. What should I say to you? Should

I not say 'Hath a dog money? Is it possible A cur can lend three thousand ducats? or Shall

I bend low and in a bondsman's key, With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say

this,- 'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; You spurned me such a day; another

time You called me dog; and for these courtesies I'll lend you thus much monies'?

Ant: If thou wilt lend this money lend it not As to thy friends; for when did friendship

take A breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who if he

break, thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty.

Shy. If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are

Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit Be nominated for an equal pound Of your fair

flesh, to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me. (Niemeyer)
Here it shows a very cruel part of Shylock. He is asking for a pound of flesh in return of ducats.

Though Antonio agrees because he’s completely devoted to his friend. Shylock is definitely

intended to be William Shakespeare’s villain. He is a vengeful character whose is vindictive

towards everyone else. Shylock possesses many stereotypical characteristics for a villain such as

being evil and vengeful. Through Shylock, Shakespeare explores the way in which the line

between the oppressed and the oppressor can became blurred. The more he is portrayed as a

stereotypical. Jew, greedy and obsessed with money. there are really two stage Shylocks in the

play: first, there is the stage "villain" who is required for the plot; second, there is the human

being who suffers the loss of his daughter, his property, and, very importantly for him, his

religion.

Furthermore, the play ‘The Merchant of Venice’, by William Shakespeare, shows two

different father-daughter relationships. The relationships are between Portia and her recently

diseased father, the other involving Jessica and Shylock, a Jewish money lender. The first

relationship emphasizes love, respect and trust whereas the other are obviously different. Portia’s

relationship with her recently deceased father was full of respect and love, whereas Jessica didn't

like her father and thought he was rude. But he always kept her in many restrictions. He did not

allow Jessica to go outside. Because he was afraid that she will meet with Christians. Whereas,

Jessica was deeply in love with a Christian boy, Lorenzo. That’s why Jessica started hating his

attitude. The play also shows us that one day Shylock told Jessica to close the door so that the

Christian’s prayers noise cannot pollute his house. Here shows how much hatred he has for the

Christians. But Jessica love Lorenzo so much that she wants to leave her father and want to stay

with Lorenzo. Jessica thinks that her life would become so better if she ran off with Lorenzo. She
was pissed off by his father. Also, we can see that Shylock was so broken because of her

daughter and of those jewelries. He was so upset. His eagerness and hatred towards the Christian

increased more so he becomes enriched and resolved to punish Antonio by fulfilling the terms of

the contacts. Otherwise he may not have done. So first, we also thought that he may be joking

about Antonio’s flesh. But later he ends up demanding his bond in a big courtroom and nobody’s

laughing. Here, Shylock shows as blood thirsty, vengeful and inflexible.

To conclude, the main-spring of the action in “Merchant of Venice” is conflict between

Antonio and Shylock. Every incident contributes either to call for their struggle or to harmonize

it after it has arisen. As Shylock was Jewish, Antonio was Christian. Antonio called Shylock

misbeliever cut- throat dog and split upon his Jewish gabardine. Shylock believes that he has

handled this abuse with patience, as Jews suffer patiently and often at the hands of Christian who

mock them. So we can call this play anti-Semitic. This paper shows the anti-religious conflict of

the merchant of Venice.