How does Shakespeare present racial and religious tension in the "Merchant of Venice"

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How does Shakespeare present racial and religious tension in the “Merchant of Venice?

The Merchant of Venice is set in a time of racial and religious strife. Venice was an important Mediterranean centre for goods from the Far East. It would have been a very exotic location for an Elizabethan audience; Shakespeare chose to set the play in Venice, because people in Elizabethan England would not have visited Venice and were more likely to believe things they were told about it. It could have also been set in Venice to reflect England’s state of racial and religious tension, without being too obvious.

The two central characters in the play are Shylock, a wealthy Jew; and Antonio a rich merchant. At the time the play was written, Christians were not allowed to charge interest on lending money, but Jews did. Shylock and Antonio are enemies by religion. Each of them hates what the other stands for. Racial and religious tension is subsequently reflected in the Merchant of Venice through Shylock and Antonio’s relationship, which intensities when Antonio asks Shylock for a loan. Shylock says aside “I hate him for he is a Christian”, thus showing his hatred for all Christians, not just Antonio. This implicates that Shylock is a bigot.

Antonio abuses Shylock before and during the play, both physically and mentally. Antonio “Spat upon” Shylock’s “Jewish gabardine”; a gabardine is the traditional dress for Jewish men, which symbolises the Jewish religion, proving that Antonio hates all Jews; their religion, heritage, and their traditions. This is a sign of disrespect from Antonio to Shylock.

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However, this hate is reciprocated, as Shylock says “You called me dog; and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus moneys’?”. This is perhaps expressing Shylock’s disbelief; 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 ...

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