Posted by Michael Johnson on May 06, 1998 at 13:51:37:

In Reply to: Re: Attention, please! posted by derek on March 05, 1998 at 17:15:16:

I think that it is, firstly, important to note that the issue in MERCHANT is not anti-Semitism, it is anti-Judaism. We are talking about the prejududice against the Jewish religion rather than against the "Jewish race." One of the key themes of MERCHANT is religious prejudice. Shakespeare illuminates his obvious distaste for prejudice with examples of both Jews and Christians, each hating the other's beliefs because of popular stereyotype, while perpetuating the worst stereyotype of their own beliefs. Of the Christians, Antonio is bigoted, and self-righteous, Gratiano is shameless and vulgar, Gobbo is lazy and stupid, Portia is spoiled. Of the Jews, Shylock is miserly and obstinate, Jessica is faithless and self-hating, Tubal is cold-hearted and sadistic. Yet in all these characters there is shown compion, honor, love, reason, and justice. Shakespeare's point is that all prejudice is ugly, regardless of who it is directed towards.

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: I think that it is, firstly, important to note that the issue in MERCHANT is not anti-Semitism, it is anti-Judaism. We are talking about the prejududice against the Jewish religion rather than against the "Jewish race." One of the key themes of MERCHANT is religious prejudice. Shakespeare illuminates his obvious distaste for prejudice with examples of both Jews and Christians, each hating the other's beliefs because of popular stereyotype, while perpetuating the worst stereyotype of their own beliefs. Of the Christians, Antonio is bigoted, and self-righteous, Gratiano is shameless and vulgar, Gobbo is lazy and stupid, Portia is spoiled. Of the Jews, Shylock is miserly and obstinate, Jessica is faithless and self-hating, Tubal is cold-hearted and sadistic. Yet in all these characters there is shown compion, honor, love, reason, and justice. Shakespeare's point is that all prejudice is ugly, regardless of who it is directed towards.

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