Different Forms of Prejudice Present in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Different Forms of Prejudice Present in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Different types of people, affected by their own views can define

prejudice in many different ways. The Collins Concise Dictionary

definition of prejudice is "an opinion formed beforehand, especially

an unfavourable one based on inadequate facts." Another definition is

"intolerance of or dislike for people of a specific race, religion,

etc." From this, it is obvious that prejudice, although often a

negative occurrence, can also be positive. Throughout The Merchant,

there are many forms of prejudice among a variety of characters,

because of race, gender or religion.

The most blatant form of prejudice within the play is the religious

prejudice between the Jews and the Christians. In Shakespeare's time,

the Elizabethan era, a Jew would have been considered an atheist.

Anyone who did not conform to the beliefs in the Protestant God was

considered an atheist, particularly Jews. There were also many beliefs

about Jews that were simply myths, and therefore created prejudice

throughout the globe against Jews. Jews had very few ways of earning a

living, which may be why Shylock said "you take my house… you take my

life" (VI.I.371-2), when all his money was to be taken from him. The

Anti-Semitism in this particular play may have stemmed from the Jewish

execution of Roderigo Lopez, the Queen's physician, a few years

previously. The rage against the Jews that began then lasted for a

long period before settling down many years later. However, it was not

only Jews who were discriminated against; all foreigners were

generally viewed as being suspicious and dist...

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...ce as it did on myself, it would have

discouraged prior judgement, particularly on Jews.

There is often great debate about the audience for whom Shakespeare

truly wrote his plays. Was it for the Elizabethan audience we imagine,

and were the plays shown on a stage with no scenery? Or was it for

people throughout all ages, genders and races, to teach them about

discrimination, and how wrong it may be? Did William Shakespeare

intend his plays to be seen by millions of people in many different

forms, adapted and changed to suit different races and ages? The

prejudices shown in The Merchant of Venice had been present for many

years before Shakespeare's time, and will be present for many years in

the future. This play can be used to demonstrate to us where we go

wrong, and how we discriminate against many people every day.