Introduction to Introduction to Merchant of VeniceMerchant of Venice

Racism Racism

Racism: Racism: means to means to discriminatdiscriminate someone e someone because of because of their race, their race, beliefs, beliefs, values, etc. values, etc.

Prejudice Prejudice

Prejudice: an Prejudice: an opinion formed opinion formed before hand before hand especially an especially an unfavourable or unfavourable or based on based on inadequate facts. inadequate facts.

Judaism 101 Judaism 101

Holy Book:Holy Book: The TorahThe Torah

Place of Worship:Place of Worship: The Synagogue The Synagogue

Religious Symbols: Religious Religious Symbols: Religious Holidays:Holidays:

The Star of DavidThe Star of David Hanukkah Hanukkah

Jewish Dietary LawsJewish Dietary Laws

The word The word “Kosher” “Kosher” means “fit” or means “fit” or “proper”. For “proper”. For Jewish people Jewish people Kashrut refers Kashrut refers to the to the practice of practice of eating only eating only Kosher food. Kosher food.

Meat Meat

According to the According to the Torah, only the Torah, only the meat of animals meat of animals with split hooves with split hooves can be eaten. can be eaten. Such animals Such animals include sheep, include sheep, goat, lamb and goat, lamb and cattle. Animals cattle. Animals that are that are not not includedincluded are the are the pig, camel, and pig, camel, and hare. hare.

Milk and Dairy Products Milk and Dairy Products

Milk must not Milk must not be stored, be stored, prepared along prepared along side of or side of or eaten with eaten with meat. After meat. After eating meat, eating meat, many Jews wait many Jews wait several hours several hours before eating before eating dairy products. dairy products.

Kitchen RulesKitchen Rules

Any utensils used Any utensils used to prepare, serve, to prepare, serve, eat or clean eat or clean dishes after dishes after eating meat eating meat cannot be used cannot be used with milk and vice with milk and vice versa. If a utensil versa. If a utensil is used with non-is used with non-kosher food while kosher food while it is hot, it cannot it is hot, it cannot be used with be used with Kosher food Kosher food

Settings: Venice Settings: Venice

Jews in Early EnglandJews in Early England

1111thth century England – Jews not century England – Jews not considered citizens and barred from considered citizens and barred from many professions (artisan guilds and many professions (artisan guilds and owning land)owning land)

Christians were forbidden from Christians were forbidden from lending money with interest, and lending money with interest, and many Jews made a living as usurers many Jews made a living as usurers

However, they had to also be their However, they had to also be their own dept collectors which led to own dept collectors which led to resentment. resentment.

Jews in Early EnglandJews in Early England 1212thth century Crusades brought about anti- century Crusades brought about anti-

Semitism Semitism Magna Carter of 1215 (constitutional law) Magna Carter of 1215 (constitutional law)

put restrictions on Jewish usury put restrictions on Jewish usury 1275 Jews in England were forbidden to 1275 Jews in England were forbidden to

lend money and had to wear badges of lend money and had to wear badges of identificationidentification

1290 Jews were expelled from England1290 Jews were expelled from England With Jews being expelled from England With Jews being expelled from England

many myths began grow. For example, many myths began grow. For example, hey had ritual murders such as “Easter hey had ritual murders such as “Easter Murders” and Passover murdersMurders” and Passover murders

Jews in Shakespeare’s EnglandJews in Shakespeare’s England

Religious upheaval in England led to Religious upheaval in England led to religious intolerancereligious intolerance

Jews returning to England in the 16Jews returning to England in the 16thth century century Marranos or Conversos Spanish Jews Marranos or Conversos Spanish Jews

converted to Christianityconverted to Christianity 1593 (a few years before 1593 (a few years before The Merchant of The Merchant of

VeniceVenice) Queen Elizabeth I’s physician, ) Queen Elizabeth I’s physician, Roderigo Lopez, was accused of trying to Roderigo Lopez, was accused of trying to poison her poison her

Led to a rise of anti-Semitism Led to a rise of anti-Semitism

Jewish StereotypeJewish Stereotype

Money hungryMoney hungry GreedyGreedy VillainousVillainous Murderous (ritual)Murderous (ritual)

Renaissance Venice, ItalyRenaissance Venice, Italy

Setting of Setting of Merchant of VeniceMerchant of Venice

Setting of Setting of Merchant of VeniceMerchant of Venice

Large Jewish population in VeniceLarge Jewish population in Venice In 1516 Venetian authorities forced Jews to live in segregated In 1516 Venetian authorities forced Jews to live in segregated

ghettosghettos

They were hated by the Christian community although its They were hated by the Christian community although its members went to the Jewish money lenders when they needed tomembers went to the Jewish money lenders when they needed to