The Merchant of Venice is a play some(prenominal) about baskmaking and hate. Shakespeare illustrates the theme of hate most prominently through the prejudices of both Christians and Jews and their behaviour towards maven another. The theme of love is shown amongst the Christians, in the love of friendship and marital love. The themes are emphasised in the settings of the play, Belmont symbolise love and Venice symbolising hate. As well as this the offense of various characters can be seen in their motives for love and hate.
The absolute play is centred around racial prejudices between Christians and Jews and their hate for one another. In The Merchant of Venice Shylock, the Jew, is characterised as the scapegoat, just as the Jewish have been throughout history. Shylocks prejudice and dislike for the Christians is largely ground on their mistreatment of him:
Signior Antonio, many a time and ofttimes in the Rialto you have rated me about my moneys and my usences: still have I borne it with a patient shrug, for sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. You band me misbeliever, cut-throat dog. And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, and all for use of that which is mine own.
(Shylock- 1,3,102-9)
Shylock feels the choler of an unequal society and is frustrated by it:
Hath not a Jew eyes?
Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, abide with the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? (Shylock- 3,1,54-60)
Shylocks hatred for the Christians is what causes him to pursue his revenge on Antonio. This action is very significant as Shylocks business is purpose and in his pursuit for revenge he turns down six-times the count of money owed to him. Antonios prejudice...
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