How does Shakespeare present racial and religious tension Essay Example

that Antonio, his sworn enemy, is asking him for money. This means that Antonio has called Shylock a dog and is questioning whether he should lend money to Antonio; as if saying to himself: how can this benefit me? The effect of this language on the audience is misbelief, they would have thought that he would be only too glad to have Antonio under his thumb.

Antonio replies by saying "I am like to call thee so again". But Antonio needs the money so desperately he will do anything. When Shylock sees this he takes full advantage of his venerable position, so Shylock says: "Let the forfeit be nominated for an equal pound of your fair flesh" and Antonio accepts, because he is in no position to be making demands; showing that they are equally hateful to each other. Shylock takes full advantage of Antonio when he is at Shylock's mercy.

Shylock is portrayed as having a hostile nature and continues the war against Christians through his desire for vengeance. Shylock believes his superior to Christianity. This is expressed clearly through his direct statement "I hate him for he is a Christian" this quote can be interpreted in many different ways to portray Shylock's hatred. Shylock also presents his religion as superior by saying his religion is "sacred" he uses strong adjectives to emphasise his passionate beliefs.

Shylock's tone in his main speech can be understood to imply that he thinks that his religion is scorned and underrated. There is evidence in Shylock's speech that he is a victim of anti-Semitism, when he claims "You call me a misbeliever, cut-throat dog". This implies that Antonio believes that Judaism

is a false religion, whilst "Cut-throat dog" compares Shylock to pirates and murderers. Shylock would make this speech to let the audience know that he hates Antonio for humiliating him by "spitting" on him and calling him names.

At this point in the play the audience sympathies with Shylock on the mistreatment of the Jews and the humiliation and anger Shylock feels. Antonio thinks that Christianity is better than Judaism because at the time there were rumours that Jews killed children and drank their blood. Antonio believes that Jews should be punished and he is unwilling to change his views on the Jews when he says: " to spit on thee again, to spurn thee too". This makes the audience think that Antonio is stubborn; and this could also be why Shylock is so stubborn too.

Shylock also shows his hatred towards Christians when he will not let Jessica; his daughter, marry a Christian named: Lorenzo. So Jessica must elope with Lorenzo to get free from her controlling father. Because Jessica is doing this without her father's knowledge, she must take money and jewels from him. At realisation that his daughter is missing; Shylock s distressed and almost driven to madness, but this could be interpreted in different ways; this distress could have been caused by loss of money and jewels.

This venerable side to Shylock; which the audience have not seen before, could make the audience reflect on their reflect on their treatment of Jews and how it affecting them in a subtle way. Portia is a wealthy and beautiful heiress, whom Bassanio asks Antonio for money so that he can travel to meet and have a

chance of marrying her. Portia also portrays racial and religious tension. Portia expresses dislike of people from other countries.

Portia's dislike of her suitors is shown when she asks Nerissa; her lady in waiting, to name each suitor so that she may describe them. first there is the Neapolitan prince" and Portia describes him as a "colt" and she is "afeared" that "his mother played false with a smith" Portia is accusing his mother of being unfaithful with a blacksmith; and that the prince is their illegitimate son; i believe she uses this imagery because of the prince's obsession with houses. She also describes "falcon bridge, the young baron of England" as a "proper man's picture", but she also says "who can converse with a dumbshow? " this states that he is the perfect stereotype of a man, but how can she live or love someone who is so ignorant.

Shakespeare presents both racial and religious tension in many different forms throughout the play but none stronger than Shylock and Antonio's relationship. The tension between them appears to be leading to the imminent death of Antonio, but ends with the typical "happily ever after" ending where the villain- Shylock is defeated, and Antonio- triumphs over evil. Some of the original audiences would believe that Shylock got what he deserved because of his treatment of Antonio, but others would disagree; saying that his punishment was excessive and Shylock was a product of his environment and treatment by Christians.