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The Merchant Of Venice - Anti- - Online Term Paper

The Merchant Of Venice - Anti-

William Shakespeare�s The Merchant of Venice contains many examples that insult Jews because they were the minority in London in Shakespeare�s time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times, Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of London�s population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living there. Shakespeare�s The Merchant of Venice supports anti-Semitism actions and thoughts and therefore proves that Shakespeare was an anti-Semite.
In the second act, Launcelot is debating with himself whether or not he should seek a new employer. Launcelot�s problem is that he works for Shylock, who is Jewish. ...

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enough.� (2.2.139-40)
Lorenzo insults Shylock behind his back when he tells Jessica (Shylock�s daughter) that if Shylock ever makes it to heaven, it is only because Jessica converted to Christianity. Lorenzo said, �If e�er the Jew her father come to heaven, / It will be for his gentle daughter�s sake�� (2.4.36-7) When Lorenzo says this, he is implying that Shylock�s faith and his Jewish heritage is not strong enough to get him into heaven. Lorenzo says that if Shylock is saved, it is by his Jessica�s sake, because she has chosen Christianity over Judaism. This statement implies that Lorenzo believes that Christianity is the religion that is powerful enough to admit one into heaven; therefore Lorenzo is biased against anyone that is not a Christian, such as Shylock the Jew.
Later in the play Jessica is insulted by Launcelot. Launcelot believes that parents� sins are passed down to their children. He also believes that being Jewish is a sin. Launcelot frankly tells Jessica his opinion ...

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The Merchant Of Venice - Anti-. (2004, January 12). Retrieved November 28, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Merchant-Of-Venice-Anti/1335

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 1/12/2004 01:37:54 AM
Category: English
Type: Free Paper
Words: 582
Pages: 3

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