Prejudice in the Merchant of Venice Essay

Prejudice is a significant theme in The Merchant of Venice. This is expresses at various occasions throughout the novel. One of the most significant examples of damage in this novel is the Anti-Semitic views of the Christian citizens in Venice. A second run of prejudice in The Merchant of Venice occurs when the Prince of Morocco arrives in Venice. The third example, though more subtle, is the prejudice towards the Prince of Arragon. These three examples fall in to two major categories, racial prejudice and religious prejudice.The Anti-Semitic views in The Merchant of Venice play an grave part in the novel. Without the Anti-Semitic views, the elopement fleck and the bond plan would not be in existence. If Jessica were Christian, Shylock would arrest embraced the marriage of Lorenzo and Jessica. Religion, however, intervenes and causes Shylocks anger at his daughter. The bond plot simply is based on religious tension. Shylock the Jew would not agree been so hostile towards Anton io and Bassanio had they all been Jewish or Christian. The behavior in the court room excessively make a heavy voice to the Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice .The punishments for Jews were far worse than those given to Christians. Jews had seriously harsh restrictions allowing them to only be money-lenders.The second example of prejudice occurs in the midst of Portia and the Prince of Morocco. This prejudice, however, is not religious equivalent the prejudice between Shylock and Antonio, that is more of a form of racial prejudice. As the second act begins, Morocco states, Mislike me not for my skin colour, the shadowed livery of the burnished sun. (2.1.1-2). This was said to Portia to ask her not to judge the prince on his complexion, but rather that he be judged on what is inside of him. Portia, however, had decided that she would not enjoy marrying the prince. She expresses her prejudice by saying,If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the oth er four farewell, I should be glad of his approach. If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather heshrive me than wive me. (Shakespeare 127-131)Her decision was clearly made and despite the Princes efforts to help her understand that he was just like any man she remained adamant about her agreement.The third example of prejudice, also racial, is towards the Prince of Arragon. The Prince of Arragon is mocked in various manners throughout the scene in which he chooses the casket. The Princes name added a form of comedy to the story. His name, Arragon, similar to Arragon, told the indorser about his attitude and personality in general. The Prince of Arragon also stated, Whats present? The portrait of a blinking idiot presenting me a schedule (2.9.58-60). This bidding is also insulting towards the prince due to the fact that he cant even recognize his own self. Secondly, he referred to the image in the reflect as a blinking idiot. The prejudice her e is given my Shakespeare and added kinda of being given on from another character, it is expressed as a trait of the Prince of Arragon himself. Shakespeare, in this case, shows prejudice, not a character.The role of prejudice plays an important role in The Merchant of Venice. This prejudice, however insulting and mean it seems without delay was not as badly viewed in the Elizabethan era. In fact, this prejudice was completely normal. The persecution and prejudice towards Jews, colored people, and people from certain nations was a fastness part of daily live. Without the prejudice in The Merchant of Venice, the novels plot would be meaningless.