Anti-Semitism is not a new phenomena and has risen statistically since the October 6 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. There have been many injured and/ or Palestinians killed as a result of the initial attack by Hamas. The exact number is not clear. However, the propaganda attack continues . Many are outraged by the number of Palestians harmed yet remain silent regarding the raped Israeli hostages. This disquisition addresses William Shakespeare's characterization of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice .
Historically, Shakespeare was aware of anti-Semitism existence in England. Since Edward 1 in the 13th century, Jews were expelled in England; Jews in Venice and other areas were forced to wear red hats to be identifiable as Jews in their ghetto and in 1492 , Spain tortured, killed and expelled Jews with their inquisition. 100 years ,or so, later Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice appeared.
A brief overview of Shakespeares’ play follows. A young Venetian named Bassanio ( irresponsibly) squandered his estate , needed 3,000 ducats to pursue a wealthy and deceitful manipulator named Portia .The Irresponsible and greedy Bassanio attempted to borrow the 3,000 ducats sum but was turned down by his gay friend Antonio . However, Antonio promises to cover a bond if Bassanio can find a lender. Bassanio goes to Shylock and names Antonio as the loans guarantor.
Shakespeare's Shylock is portrayed as a miserly, irrational ,sadistic, narcissistic , moneylender Jew . Antonio is an anti-semite because he loans money without charging interest. Or, was he just ignorant , a stupid businessman or a saint ? In other words, charging interest on a loan was "a Jewish money grabbing thing ? " Shylock agrees to lend the sum without interest, upon one condition. If Antonio were unable to repay the loan at a specified date, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio's flesh. Shylock is now portrayed as not only unfair, miserly , greedy but now cruel and sadistic. Was the gay Antonio also a masochist and stupid to trust that his irresponsible friend was somehow going to change his ways ? What a fictitious fable ? How unbelievable.
Shakespeare’s so-called comedy becomes more bizarre. Antonio's ships are reported lost at sea, so he cannot repay the bond. Shylock, becomes cruel , hateful ,resentful and revengeful ( a displacement motive) because his daughter Jessica eloped with a Christian and converted. Why take out anger and revenge on someone else ? Deal with your daughter that betrayed you. Not only that, Jessica took ( stole) a large amount of her fathers wealth as well as a turquoise ring, which Shylock had been given by his late beloved wife Leah. What a soap opera? What a daughter ? Cut her loose as she's not trustworthy either . Shylock had no choice but to bring Antonio before the court for revenge? Really, what a pitiful motive.
The miserly , greedy, vengeful , sadistic. and stupid Shylock refuses 6000 ducats for repayment ? Was he miserly and greedy or just wanted revenge “ Again, a displacement. He now demands his pound of flesh from Antonio. What will that accomplish ?
In comes “ A doctor of law ,“ really Portia in a phony disguise, with a forged letter. Another crazy ,scrupulous figure in this farce. She wants to nullify ( cheat) Shylock’s irrational contract. Portia asks Shylock to show mercy advising him that mercy "is twice blest. “ This has nothing to do with mercy but manipulation instead. “ It blesseth him that gives and him that takes." Shakespeare becomes more bizarre and irrational when Portia says the contract allows Shylock to move only the flesh, not the blood. What ? And if Shylock were to shed any drop of Antonio's blood , his lands and goods would be forfeited under Venetian laws. She tells him that he must cut precisely 1 pound of flesh, no more no less. She advises him that” if the scale do turn but in the estimation of a hair. Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate." And is this really a law or just a rationalization for greed, cruelty and discrimination ?
Of course Shylock consents to accept the money, but Portia prevents it on the grounds that he has already refused it again in open court. She cites a law under which Shylock is a Jew and therefore an alien having attempted to take the life of the citizen has forfeited his property . Shylock's life was now at the mercy of the Duke of Venice. To further make this ridiculous a long story short, a number of conditions arise and Shylock was to convert to Christianity and bequeath his entire estate to Lorenzo and Jessica. Shylock is re- threatened with death, but accepts all the conditions without being outraged but with a whimper "I am content." And Shylock is the antagonist in this play ? Shakespeare’s not just prejudiced but illogical,sadistic , manipulative and hateful as well.
Shylock is the victim of anti-Semitism. Shakespeare manipulates under Christian domination and rule, with deceitful imposters, supposedly some Venetian law, ripping off Shylock , being threatened with death , being humiliated ,cheated , and robbed ! Moral principles are lacking in the despicable tale . The anti Semitic message is clear. In fact, this play was used by anti-Semites throughout the play's history. For example, Nazis used Shylock for their propaganda. The Merchant of Venice was broadcast to justify their cruel and barbarous ends over German airways. Productions of the play were allowed in Lubec , Berlin and elsewhere within Nazi territory. Further, the depiction of Jews in literature resembles Shylock in that they characterize the Jew as monied, lecherous, avaricious outsider tolerated only because of their golden hoard.
What if Shakespeare, the anti-Semite, lived, wrote , associated, produced within the mores of the Broadway culture during the 20th and 21 st century ? He'd be collaborating, associating, interacting and dependent with the likes of Arthur Miller, Neil Simon, Tom Stoppard ,Lee Strassburg Jacob Adler, John Garfield ,Bette Midler, Natalie Wood, Lenny Bernstein , Barbra Streisand, Joan Rivers, Mandy Patinkin, Jerome Weidman. Harold Rome, Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock , Phillip Roth, Dylan, Kaplan , Marily Sokol, Ben Platt, Leonard Nimoy, Michael Kantor, Harvey Fierstein, Liev Schreiber ,Ethan Slater, Idna Menzel, Tina Landau and many other Jews on Broadway. How might these reality experiences affect or influence his anti-Semitism attitude and character ? Further, what if he witnessed the events pertaining to Jewish messaging pertaining to Tzedakah, institutional religious sexual abuse, generous donating by Jews, to non Jewish causes ? Perhaps, Shakespeare's character portrayal of Shylock might've included intelligent capitalistic business practices, humanistic ideals, legitimate criminal justice system and community support. In other words, how would and if an attitude change occurred affected William Shakespeare's writing ?
Factually ,monied is defined as having money, wealthy. The Jews that came to our shores in the late 1800s the early 1900s and 1940’s were not wealthy but poor. In Judaism, Tzedakah refers to a religious obligation to do what is right and just. In practice, many Jews donate a portion of their income to charitable institutions or to needy people. That was evident when many Jews arrived on our shores and were given assistance as my grandparents received.
Lecherous is defined as having excessive or offensive sexual desire. Three of the US biggest religious denominations are in turmoil over sex abuse and LGBT policy. They include Roman Catholic ,Southern Baptist and United Methodist churches.
Avaricious is defined as having or showing extreme greed for wealth or material gain. George Soros pledged to donate 500 million to Bard College , Michael Bloomberg donated 150 million for the advancement of studies in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among minorities and advanced education. David Geffen donated 150 Million to Yale School of Drama.. Half of America's 25 most generous philanthropists are Jews. Few give to Jewish groups.
Anti-Semitism continues to exist. It's not surprising that certain fearful individuals and groups require a scapegoat, someone to blame for the misfortune that exists for humans. It's convenient for those seeking power, control , and obedience to lie, make falsehoods, half-truths, and give simple explanations of evil to individuals that are anxious, insecure , needy, with limited cognitive and historical abilities . They seek protection and are given superficial easy explanations to express their hate. These dangerous simpletons are envious ,threatened by the status of Jews with their excellence, creativity ,scientific achievements , intellectual and creative abilities and moral principles . Hate is unconsciously a reaction formation that points to their inadequacies . Keep blame and hate simple. Ignore truth , objectivity , reason and don't provide the facts for the herd to blindly follow .
Reference
Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice.
The New York Times ,December 3, 2023 . Let Us Tell You A Story
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