Hath Not a Jew Eyes? The Identity of Shylock and Purpose of Anti-Semiti

Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice continues to receive criticism because of the many controversial topics integrated within an already debatable plot. One such reproach is whether the play demonstrates factors of anti-Semitism or persists as a criticism of the anti-Sematic tendencies of Christians during Shakespeare’s time. The factor of genre plays an essential role in how the play is interpreted when regarding anti-Semitism, particularly when viewed as either a romantic comedy or a genre that better encompasses the financial, moral, and religious conflict that is so prominent throughout the play. For instance, when analyzed as a comedy, Shylock’s malevolence may not exactly be reviewed as comical, but nevertheless seems peculiar and outrageous at times. From a religious standpoint, however, the vehement interactions between Shylock and Antonio are clearly centered on revenge and appear much more violent than a comedic standpoint may suggest. Furthermore, bec ause the play is â€Å"laced†¦ with cobwebs of fraud, theft, and speculation on all sides, it is less about the pursuit of love than about the pursuit, possession, and power of money† (Russin 115). In short, while some elements of the play may be substantially different in regards to the context of today’s time period versus Shakespeare’s time period since the complexity and rich use of language may be particularly susceptible to various interpretations, there are numerous examples that clearly demonstrate certain actions of Jewish oppression. Specifically, Shakespeare implicitly explores trends of anti-Semitism and establishes an ambiguous identity for Shylock by providing both a symbolic portrayal of the Jewish culture and a distinct dichotomy between Shylock and Antonio. Sh... ...ict imbedded within the text. Works Cited Anti-Semitism and The Merchant of Venice: A Discussion Guide for Educators. New York: Anti-Defamation League, 2006. Print. Coonradt, Nicole. â€Å"Shakespeare’s Grand Deception: The Merchant of Venice- Anti-Semitism as ‘Uncanny Causality’ and the Catholic-Protestant Problem†. Religion and the Arts. 11 (2007): 74-97. Print. Rosenshield, Gary. â€Å"Deconstructing the Christian Merchant: Antonio and the The Merchant of Venice†. Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies. 20.2 (2002): 28- 51. Print. Russin, Robin. â€Å"The Triumph of the Golden Fleece: Women, Money, Religion, and Power in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice†. Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies. 31.3 (2013): 115-130. Print. Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2010. Print.