Since the beginning of time, it can be said Jews have placed many persecutions, more knowingly in the Middle Ages, when the Roman Empire often subdued Jews, firstly by taking over their lands and evicting them from their home during the Pagan period and after attempted to classify them s second class citizens during the Christian Roman period. History once again repeated itself when another wave of persecutions followed during the Crusades in Medieval Europe, in the name of Christianity and so Jewish people were expelled from Germany, France, England, Portugal and Spain. Genocide and alienation were used throughout history by nations who sought to eliminate and oppress Jewish people and the religion of Judaism. Cruel acts against the Jewish population took place during some of the most important periods in history; The First Crusade, the Spanish Inquisition, the Portuguese Inquisition and the Pogroms backed by the Russian Tsars, but the most destructive was in Nazi Germany- the Holocaust led to the slaughter of more than five million Jews. This clearly shows that is this persecution was not only was this xenophobia but anti-semitism as well.
Many Jews resided in Italy as merchants and moneylenders, and worked in Venice, city of Venice during the 10th century, though only began settling thereafter 13th century after a law was created ordering the settlers to pay taxes in order for their businesses to function. The Italians began to fear the appropriation by the Jews overtaking their economic domains, the government decided to begin the expulsion of Jews from Venice during the 14th Century, with a shortened working hour to only a limited a two-week interval. Whilst moneylenders were able to live with small amounts they made, those did not occupy the same job remained in Venice and suffered extreme restrictions such being made to were marking on their clothing to identify their religion, a time much so reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
Similarly, tensions were also high in England due to economic strains. Shakespeare addresses this issues by restricting Shylock to becoming a compliant citizen. In the play, Shylock lends Antonio 3000 ducats with a condition that he does not return the money within three months, Shylock will take “a pound of your flesh.” Although Shylock, says this in a lighthearted manner, O’Rourke claims that Shakespeare’s intention was perhaps to elicit the “Christian blood libels that told of Jew desiring” in taking their flesh, so he may emulate the crucifixion on Jewish holidays. (Page 383) In addition, Antonio does not pay the ducats, they go to court, Shylock expects an unbiased ruling, this is an important scene for the reason the Shakespeare deliberately, has Shylock read his entire contract in which appeals for his pound of flesh, in which he knows that he will not obtain it due prejudice and anti-Semitism, he wants the audience to see the inequality as well as the importance of words more so than a contract. Shakespeare here shows his hopes for stronger economic structure and in order for this to happen people are expected to stick to the correct moral and that is being truthful, and keep their promises. Alongside the economic issues, religious tensions began to peak due to the Protestant reformation in the 16th Century. This reformation caused England to split into Protestantism and Catholicism in which Queen Elizabeth I prohibited Catholicism. Although Catholics who rebelled caused a conflict between the two religions. In The Merchant of Venice, this can be considered a mirrored representation that showcases the conflict between Jew and Christians.
Over the course of time, the stereotypes and portrayal of Jews in literature has developed, however the constant portrayal perhaps is a suggestion of the fact that Jews were treated was the same. While trying to depict a character of Jewish origins, writers often replicate the perspective of their current society, which progresses through the adjustments of culture as well as economy. Though, anti-Semitism is indisputable as proved by the constant repetition of stereotypical views of Jews and Judaism in literature. Hence, first literary portrayals of this stereotype were during the Middle Ages. Medieval plays often depicted Jews as the villainous characters who posed a threat against the Christians, famous representations of are of course, The Merchant of Venice as well as The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe. However, in Shakespeare’s play, it was performed in a time where had been exiled for centuries. Thus, audiences were only able to rely on plays and prejudiced hearsay it was impossible for them to have real-life experience with Jews. Although, Bertold Brecht believes differently as he argues that English audiences were certainly “used to” anti-Semitism. While Jews were expelled from England, audiences could not relate, as Jewish moneylenders were nonexistent, instead, audiences instead identified with Antonio. In 1590s, London had their fair share of money lenders, only this time they were mostly Italians, or back then mostly known as “Lombards”, the same way in which the Venetians bared their hatred for jews, the English showed resentment for Italian merchants. They were referred to as “merchant strangers”, as they go on to say “[t]he Italians above all other to be taken heed of, for they…lick the fat even from our breads.” (page 376) The English, during the Tudor era, were contradicting themselves and as well displayed hypocrisy due to the inconsistent stereotype of Italians and Jews. In the play and in reality Venetians referred to themselves as Christians, O’Rourke claimed that this was the “persuade” the English audience that Italian catholics shared the same religious values as Protestants. From this, it can be argued, clearly xenophobic behaviour displayed by the English.
In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice was influenced by Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta. A similarity that both Shakespeare’s and Marlowe’s character is they are the stereotypical stage Jew characters. The stage Jew is often described as money hungry individual who is a merchant, they are deemed as cold and both have an intense dislike for Christians. Both Shylock and Barabas, share their characteristics, they both also Christian foes and their daughter left them., In The Jew of Malta Barabas, the central Jewish character is characterised similarly to Shylock, as a spiteful, manipulative and villainous monster who is punished for multiple offences after he loses Abigail, his daughter. However, Marlowe focuses on Barabas’ insufficient righteousness and evilness, which leads to audiences viewing him as a character who lacks humanity and in general satisfied the audiences. In Shakespeare’s play, although the theme of anti-Semitism is reoccurring, there are instances in where the main Jewish character shows vulnerability and so is not extremely strict concerning the representation of a Jewish character as misrepresented. Shakespeare’s audience view Antonio as a righteous forgiving character and Shylock as the monster as he is merciless and seeks revenge. Whereas in Marlowe’s play, the audience views the Barabas and the Christians as the same, due to their the vengeful nature of the play. And so, the stage Jew is used to reveal the contrasting personality of the Christian characters, by displaying that a Christian will be the one to choose one’s fate.
It can also be said The Merchant of Venice was a “response to the hanging of Rodrigo Lopez in 1594.” (Page 375) Dr. Lopez, a Jewish-Portuguese doctor had come to England during the beginning of Queen Elizabeth’s reign and become a doctor. Because he had become so successful, he was appointed physician-in-chief to the Queen, however, just after ten years later, in 1594, his position as the Queen’s personal physician put him in of court as he was accused by Robert Devereux for conspiring with Spanish envoy to poison the Queen. It seemed that the presence of Jews was in fact an “open secret in Tudor England” (Page 378) as the work of Alan Bray and James Shapiro has shown. Although Lopez was a christian convert, he was later outed after his hanging as a jew. It is said that to plead his innocence, it is claimed that “he loved the Queen as he loved Jesus Christ” and so instead of being welcomed the crowd responded “with derisive laughter and the proof of guilt was easily adduced.” (Page 378). There are similarities between Shylock and Lopez are undeniable as both were Jews during a time where their race were not welcome in Europe and face discrimination. Both were very successful in their line of work, which in return become a threat to the Christians.
It can be said the creation of the fictional character Shylock is perhaps one of Shakespeare’s greatest achievements. Shylock’s highly complex personality often bewilders audiences as one cannot decide whether to hate him or show compassion for his contradictory nature. Alan Sinfield contends its only a matter of opinion and not difference between audiences who romanticises the Christian characters in the play as well as those who view it critically. He argues “even a ‘sympathetic presentation, with Shylock as victim” he continues to say “the Christians are as bad as the Jews who function, there as an index of badness.” Shakespeare has portrayed the passionate Jew with vindictive, greedy and ferocious selfish qualities traditionally affiliated with Jews; and somehow he has managed to gain sympathy by us. Shylock well known for his passion for money, zealous for money and revenge are his two dominant traits of his character. He is a penny-pincher who stocks, and for him to spend a single dime is torment, his entire existence revolves around money; money is his life. Shylock’s greed overpowers his affections for his daughter, since his thoughtfulness is nothing compared to how rage at loss of money; “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats.” (Act 2, Scene 8) This makes one think whether his greed is a defence mechanism to, a cold stuff exterior to suppress his suffering against anti-Semitism.
In many staged plays, Shylock has often been portrayed as a cold unfeeling monster on stage, a man who is only known for who for his greed and malice, and, certainly there is no denying this fact about his character. Regardless of these unappealing traits, one cannot deny Shylock possesses an element of magnificence. He speaks with such intensity regarding his ‘Sacred Nation” which wonderfully illustrates patriotism. He is religion, although excluding, is the one thing the Christians cannot take from him. “Out upon her; thou torturest me; Tubal; it was my turquoise… I was bachelor, I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. Here a sign of human emotions and feeling are detected, one of the few moments he deviates away from the monster that he is portrayed as. Nonetheless, as the play continues on, this human side of Shylock is not seen again.
Possibly even stronger than his passion for money is Shylock’s resentment of Antonio, one the Christians who had victimised his tribe so barbarically. With this, one cannot help themselves but feel sympathetic towards a Jew like Shylock, a feeling in which Shakespeare transparently felt and undoubtedly wanted to convey the same to his audience. “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” This showcases the gut wrenching truth of what Jews suffered during this period, he is challenging the law; “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that also.” (Act 3, Scene 1) This is known to be one of Shakespeare’s most iconic scene. The only scene in which we as audiences are able to see the humanity in Shylock. Shylock is clearly not speaking for only himself, but for an entire religion who faced this horrendous oppression. He is the voice, the voice for Jews, who could not speak up for oneself, a representative that feels for the agony of his people. Through this, Shakespeare intended for his audience to feel not only regretful but to change their views.
Additionally, audiences immediately view Shakespeare’s depiction of Shylock negatively, which fuelled anti-Jewish views which traditional audiences displayed by belittling him and contempt grows for him as he is labelled as “the devil”. Shylock’s label as the villainous character is reinforced when he is first seen in the play, his tone ferocious and accusing, “You knew, none so well, none so well as you, of my daughter’s flight” (Act 3, Scene 1) We as an audience would side with Solanio and Salerio ridiculing him due to the fact that he chose money over his daughter, Jessica. Moreover, the continues use of the line, “let him look to his bond” highlights his obsession with money, the constant use of repetition, could be an underlying hint at his vulnerability and money the one thing he has left. However, at the same time, Shylock’s soliloquy during this scene which Shakespeare perfectly timed, counteracts these views, as it shows his most humanising quality, passion. However, it can be argued that this highlights his wickedness and rage at the Venetians. Also, because most of Shakespeare’s audiences were Christians, Shylock’s need for vengeance would have been interpreted as a challenge against the morality of Christian views, and consequently leads to Shylock being depicted pessimistically simply because of his views. Unease rise as the audience seemingly are worried about Antonio because of Shylock’s pledge for revenge. Moreover, as Shylock insists consistently that his debt be paid; this is perhaps a metaphor for wanting revenge on Antonio, as he lends without charging interest hence leading Shylock to losing his business. Antonio displays anti-Semitic traits, he had physically, verbally abused Shylock, spat at him as if he was dirt and provoked his foes towards him. “If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our sacred nation”(Act 1, Scene 3) “He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses,…heated mine enemies; and what’s his reason? I am a Jew.” Shylock’s hatred towards Antonio emphasises his everything he’s lost, and Antonio being the roots of his problems.
Moreover, Shakespeare made an attempt to allow the audience to feel pity for Shylock through the use of rhetorics in his speech to reason with the christian characters, “And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” (Act 3, Scene 1) This line is a sign of mistreatment and alienation which motivates his need for revenge, simply because of anti-Semitism. Therefore, one could argue that he should not be punished by audiences as he has already been exiled by the Christians which is a punishment in itself and so rather than traditional audiences, modern audiences could consider Shylock and Jews victims rather than villains.