The document provides an analysis of themes in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice". It argues that the play depicts hypocrisy within Christianity through the interaction between Shylock and Antonio. It also discusses how the female characters of Portia and Nerissa challenge gender roles of their time by taking independent action. Additionally, it examines the theme of racism and bigotry in the relationships between Jews and Christians as well as Portia's initial reaction to the Prince of Morocco.

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Box # 108
Sandra Cash
Professor Bouchard
ENG 132
Paper # 6 Thoughts on “The Merchant of Venice”
March 5, 2012
Thoughts on “The Merchant of Venice”
In this play “The Merchant of Venice,” Shakespeare shows how there are
hypocrites in Christianity. Act I, Scene III, in a conversation between Shylock, and
Antonio, demonstrates this. Looking at this comedy play in a feminist’s lens, the women
characters are witty, strong, and actually have a personality. One of the themes, for there
are a few, is about racism, and bigotry: Jews hating Christians, Christians hating Jews,
Portia and the prince of Morocco.
Shakespeare shows how there are hypocrites in Christianity. John 13:35 says,
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”
(BibleGateway.com). People should recognize Christians by their love, but there are
those “Christians,” who are hypocrites, for they hate people. Shakespeare shows this in a
conversation between Shylock and Antonio in Act I, Scene III. Shylock says, “You call
me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gabardine…” this shows that
Antonio who is supposed to be this good Christian, is not, for Christians are commanded
to love people (Shakespeare). There is another place this is shown, in act III scene I

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where Shylock says, “If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a
Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why,
revenge. The villany you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the
instruction,” as Christians, we should not seek revenge (Shakespeare); for in Romans 12:
19 it says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it
is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (BibleGateway.com).
If this story was to be looked at through a feminist’s lens, the women in this story
have a strong, witty, personality. This is shown when Portia outwits Shylock when she is
in the court. There Portia tells Shylock that he can have his one pound of flesh, but he can
not draw blood. Next, she tells Shylock that he can not take more or less than a pound of
flesh. Lastly, she uncovers that Shylock’s evil intentions of wanting to kill Antonio,
which is against the law; he must now give half of his property to Antonio and the other
half is to go to the government. Portia and Nerissa are unusual for their time period,
where the woman was to stay at home and be the home care giver. Instead, Portia and
Nerissa take matters in their own hands to help their husbands.
A theme that is shown throughout this play is bigotry. The Jews hate the
Christians and visa versa. Shylock and Antonio do not want to do business right away
with each other. Antonio hates Shylock, and insults Shylock by saying, “The devil can
cite Scripture for his purpose” (Shakespeare). Shylock only agrees to do business with
Antonio, because he is hoping that Antonio will not be able to pay the bond, letting him
cut a pound of flesh e.g. take Antonio’s heart. Although, this racism against Jews and
Christians is shown large, it is not the only way Shakespeare shows it: for Portia is racist
against the prince of Morocco. When the prince of Morocco comes to try his luck at the

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caskets, Portia says, “If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I
had rather he should shrive me than wive me” (Shakespeare). She is right away judging
the prince of Morocco by the color of his skin, nothing else, for she does not know the
prince of Morocco.
Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice,” one of the themes is racism. For
he has Shylock who is a Jew hate Antonio who is a Christian, and they both hate each
other. Shakespeare also shows hypocrisy of the Christian Antonio. For as Christians we
should be known by our love, but what Antonio has said to Shylock was not out of love
at all. Antonio has called Shylock a dog, the devil and has spat on him. In interesting
idea, if looked by a feminist’s lens, is that Shakespeare’s women characters in this play
are witty, strong, and actually have depth.

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Works Cited
BibleGateway.com. n.d. 5 March 2012
< http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A35&version=NIV>.
BibleGateway.com. n.d. 5 March 2012
< http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:19&version=NIV >.
Shakespeare, William. "The Merchant of Venice." The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
The Tech, 2001. Web. 5 Mar 2012. <http://shakespeare.mit.edu/merchant/full.html>.