Exercises

Directions: Insert the literary and historical context into this introductory paragraph.

Exercise #1:

The Wrongfulness of Anti-Semitism

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? If you prick us, do we not

Bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you

Poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall

We not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will

Resemble you in that.

(III, i, 57-67)

In the passage above from William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, the speaker, Shylock, articulates his frustration due to Venetian prejudices toward Jews. Shakespeare compares Jews to Christians and shows the immoral way Christians discriminated against them. He is trying to reveal that there are no physical, mental, emotional differences between the two parties; the only thing, which divides them, is their opposing religions. Insert the Literary and Historical Context here:

Throughout this paper the word anti-Semitism will be repeatedly used; anti-Semitism is a prejudice and discrimination of Jewish people. Through analyzing the passages on appearances versus reality with Portia’s false mercy, faulty prejudices against a loving Shylock, and the admiration of the flawed Christians, the assertion that The Merchant of Venice combats ideas of anti-Semitism will be developed.

Answer:

The Wrongfulness of Anti-Semitism

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? If you prick us, do we not

Bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you

Poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall

We not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will

Resemble you in that.

(III, i, 57-67)

In the passage above from William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, the speaker, Shylock, articulates his frustration due to Venetian prejudices toward Jews. Shakespeare compares Jews to Christians and shows the immoral way Christians discriminated against them. He is trying to reveal that there are no physical, mental, emotional differences between the two parties; the only thing, which divides them, is their opposing religions. Written in 1598 The Merchant of Venice exemplifies the tenets of the 16^th century English Renaissance by exploring the essential humanity of all human beings. While all the characters in the play are flawed, the English Renaissance humanist notion that all individuals should be respected and institutions should be distrusted comes through clearly in this play. It is also important to know that between 1290 and 1675 there were no Jews in England; they were not allowed to live there. This is an important fact because it portrays the strength of intolerance aimed toward the Jews for a great length of time. Throughout this paper the word anti-Semitism will be repeatedly used; anti-Semitism is a prejudice and discrimination of Jewish people. Through analyzing the passages on appearances versus reality with Portia’s false mercy, faulty prejudices against a loving Shylock, and the admiration of the flawed Christians, the assertion that The Merchant of Venice combats ideas of anti-Semitism will be developed.