What are the main contrasts and comparisons between Christians and Jews in the Merchant of Venice?

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What are the main contrasts and comparisons between Christians and Jews in the Merchant of Venice?

At the time when Shakespeare wrote "The Merchant of Venice" there were not Jews in England. Jews had been Banned from there for 300 years so Shakespeare had no contact with Jewish people. Conflict with Jews, however, was seen as humorous to his audience and they were often used as stereotypical villains because of the ignorance the English people had towards other cultures and races

In "The Merchant of Venice", however, Shakespeare shows the comparisons as well as contrasts between Jews and Christians living together in society.

Antonio and Shylock were used as the main representatives of their faiths. They are both similar in the fact that they are both very wealthy however Antonio's wealth was seen as a gift from God because of his goodness and Shylock's wealth would have been seen as dishonest as he got it through usury, which was forbidden by Christians. Usury was seen as greed as they charged interest on money they leant, it was not in good faith as a bond between two people to ask for something as assurance in