Christianity and Judaism in The Merchant of Venice
Religion has always been a rather touchy subject in literature as well as in day to day life. The clash between Christianity and Judaism is especially present in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The character of Shylock is often ridiculed for his faith, to which he retaliates with some strong points. Although he seems merciless and crude, Shylock cannot necessarily be blamed for his cruelty when one sees the way in which he is treated as a consequence of his religion. The struggle between Christianity and Judaism in The Merchant of Venice is something that has been and is still relevant in almost every society since this time period.
Throughout the play, Shylock is directly addressed as only “Jew.” Sometimes he is referred to as a “Jew dog” as well. It is doubtful that he is the only man who practices Judaism in Venice, but the Christians who dislike him for one reason or another, do not call him by his real name and instead, simply refer to him only by his choice of faith. Today, it isn’t always specifically Christianity and Judaism that oppose each other. It happens with a number of religions around the world. For example, in America today, there are many ignorant people who believe that all Muslims are terrorists who hate Americans. This is, of course, a stereotype, but it seems that these stereotypes were no different in Venice at this time. Assuming that these insults were rather derogatory, as they would be considered in modern times, Shylock’s actions probably seem logical in his own mind, but it is important to note that calling him “Jew,” is not the only way in which he is ridiculed for his beliefs.
Most of the mocking takes place at the trial over what Antonio will lose, whether it is a pound of his own flesh, or some amount of money. At one point, Antonio, who could still possibly die at the outcome of the trial, speaks to Bassanio about trying to reason with Shylock. He says, “I pray you, think you question with the Jew?... You may as well do anything most hard, As seek to soften that – than which what’s harder? – his Jewish heart,” (IV. i. 70, 79-81). He is basically saying that there is no way to reason with someone of the Jewish faith and that because he is Jewish, his heart knows no mercy. He states this while Shylock is most likely standing directly in front of them and Antonio speaks as if he is not even present. He also doesn’t seem to mind the fact that he could very well be seriously maimed because of Shylock. This is a very rude exchange, but surely there have been equivalences of ignorance in recent years.
Shylock retaliates by insulting the Christians, “These be the Christian husbands. I have a daughter./ Would any of the stock of Barabbas/ Had been her husband, rather than a Christian!” (IV. i. 286-288). There is this constant battle between the two religions. A Jewish father wants his daughter to marry a Jewish man. This is still a compulsion that many parents have today as well. There are numerous families who insist that their children marry within their own faith. Also, Shylock’s daughter does get away with marrying a Christian man, by eloping. This is also something that occurs in modern times when parental beliefs conflict with that of their children’s.
Shakespeare may have written his literature hundreds of years ago, but there are some concepts in today’s societies that correlate with those in his time as well as the time periods he wrote about. Religious tolerance is something this world has been in need of for some time. As Shylock said, “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is?” (III. i. 48-54). We are all the same physically and mentally. We are capable of the same thoughts and beliefs. It is all about choice in what one individual thinks is right. We all have that power to choose, and we should be able to exercise it. It may be a cliché, but people don’t change, at least, they don’t change quickly.