The Merchant of Venice

William ShakespeareBy:

William Shakespeare

BackgroundThe exact date of the writing of“The Merchant of Venice” isunknown, although it is generallybelieved that the play was writtenaround 1597.

The exact date of the writing of“The Merchant of Venice” isunknown, although it is generallybelieved that the play was writtenaround 1597.

The earliest recorded performanceof The Merchant of Venice was in1605 when the King’s Menperformed it for King James I.

Historical Background of“The Merchant of Venice”

The story of Jews in MedievalEurope throws a good deal of lighton the events of the play andprovides the reader with theShakespearean frame of referencewhich is necessary for theunderstanding of both the majorthemes and minor details.

The story of Jews in MedievalEurope throws a good deal of lighton the events of the play andprovides the reader with theShakespearean frame of referencewhich is necessary for theunderstanding of both the majorthemes and minor details.

During the entire Middle Ages, theJewish people were alternately protectedand persecuted by the powers in charge.

The Jewish experience in England istypical of their history in ChristianizedEurope.

The Jewish experience in England istypical of their history in ChristianizedEurope.

Restricted as they were from owningproperty and keeping serfs (workers),which were essential to the farmingeconomy of the Middle Ages, more andmore Jews became tradesmen andfinanciers (money lenders).

By 1254, conditions were so bad inEngland for the Jewish people theypetitioned the King to allow them toleave the country.England did not see the Jews againuntil the latter half of theseventeenth century.During the Jews four hundred yearabsence form England, stories fromEurope helped to maintain Englishstereotypes of the Jews.

England did not see the Jews againuntil the latter half of theseventeenth century.

It became conventional in Europe toattribute unexplained deaths, plaques,and other disaster to Jewish hatred forChristians.

It can be seen from Shakespeare’streatment of Shylock, from the allusionsShylock makes to the persecutions andhumiliations suffered at the hands ofChristians,

It can be seen from Shakespeare’streatment of Shylock, from the allusionsShylock makes to the persecutions andhumiliations suffered at the hands ofChristians,

that Shakespeare was familiar withthe plight of the Jewish people in theChristian world, that he created anappropriate background for thecharacter of Shylock.

Shylock is first and foremost, an anti-Semitic creation for an Elizabethanaudience accustomed to seeing Jews ascomic foils for Christian heroes.

Shylock is first and foremost, an anti-Semitic creation for an Elizabethanaudience accustomed to seeing Jews ascomic foils for Christian heroes.

The portrayal of Shylock wasand remained comic until the late1700’s at which time he was seenas a true villain.In the late 1800’s (1879), Shylockwas first portrayed as a tragiccharacter.

In the late 1800’s (1879), Shylockwas first portrayed as a tragiccharacter.

Since World War II, Shylock hasbeen seen as a tragic character.

CommentaryThe action of the play takes place inVenice and in Belmont. Belmont isimaginary but Venice is real.

Venice is located on the sea coast inthe north of Italy, and is in fact builtover a lagoon. Its main streets arecanals and the only vehicles are boats.

Venice is located on the sea coast inthe north of Italy, and is in fact builtover a lagoon. Its main streets arecanals and the only vehicles are boats.

The choice of Venice as the setting forthe play was not an random decision.

The Venice of Shakespeare’s time wasrenowned for its wealth, and for itscosmopolitan market.Venice was the center for internationaltrade, importing goods from all cornersof the known world.

To be successful, a merchant had toinvest his money wisely, and have luck onhis side. Trading by sea was hazardous,and a sudden storm or unseen rocks,could easily wreck a ship and drown themerchant’s hopes along with his cargo.

Structure of the PlayStructurally the play carries twoprincipal related plots through the firstfour acts.

In the first act, Antonio (amerchant) falls under the power ofShylock when Antonio promises Shylocka “pound of flesh” if he fails to pay off aloan.

In the first act, Antonio (amerchant) falls under the power ofShylock when Antonio promises Shylocka “pound of flesh” if he fails to pay off aloan.

Antonio is put into this situationbecause of his friendship withBassanio.Bassanio’s journey to Belmontlinks the Shylock plot to thePortia plot:

Bassanio’s journey to Belmontlinks the Shylock plot to thePortia plot:

the beautiful woman cannot marryuntil the right man arrives to choosethe right casket (chest).

Sub Plot to “TheMerchant of Venice”

Shylock, the Jew, lived in Venice.

He was a moneylender who hadamassed a great fortune by lendingmoney, at great interest, toChristian merchants.

He was a moneylender who hadamassed a great fortune by lendingmoney, at great interest, toChristian merchants.

Shylock being a hard-hearted man,demanded the payment of the moneyhe lent with such harshness that hewas disliked by all good men, andparticularly by Antonio, a youngmerchant in Venice.

Shylock disliked Antonio becauseAntonio used to lend money to people indistress and would never take any interestfor the money he lent;

Shylock disliked Antonio becauseAntonio used to lend money to people indistress and would never take any interestfor the money he lent;therefore, there was great animositybetween Shylock and Antonio.

Whenever Antonio met Shylock at theExchange he used to scold him for hishigh interest rates and hard dealings,which Shylock would bear with apparentpatience while he secretly plottedrevenge.

Whenever Antonio met Shylock at theExchange he used to scold him for hishigh interest rates and hard dealings,which Shylock would bear with apparentpatience while he secretly plottedrevenge.

The Merchant of Venice hasbeen described as a greatcommentary on the nature of racialand religious interactions.

The title itself is misleading andis often seen as a reference toShylock.

The title itself is misleading andis often seen as a reference toShylock.

However, in reality the titledescribes the merchant Antonio.