Prejudice, Racism and Anti-Semitism in William...

Prejudice, Racism and Anti-Semitism in William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, there is a strong theme of prejudice. Portia has to deal with prejudice against her sex, the Prince of Morocco has to deal with prejudice against his race but the character that is most discriminated against is Shylock. He is hated for being a Jew and a money-lender, but Shakespeare has not made Shylock a character easy to sympathise with. He appears to be mean and cruel and it seems as though he loves money above all things. However during the play there are moments when Shakespeare gives Shylock speeches which show his humanity. In these moments, the audience is made to feel sorry†¦show more content†¦This is the other characteristic that Shakespeare gives Shylock which makes him so unlikeable; his need for revenge. When his daughter runs away he is more interested in making her pay for her disobedience than getting her home safely, he says to Tubal; â€Å"I would my daughter were dead at my foot ... would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin!† It is made clear early on why Jessica feels the need to run away. When she talks to Launcelot she says â€Å"Our house is hell† and then later; â€Å"To be asham’d to be my father’s child! But though I am daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners.† She is obviously ashamed to be associated with Shylock and tries to show Launcelot that she is not like him, and when she says â€Å"Farewell; and if my fortune be not cross’d I have a father, you a daughter, lost.† Her language shows how much she longs to leave the house and escape from her father. Although there are times in the play when it is obvious that Shylock loves her, it is easy for the audience to understand why living with him would be unbearable. His hatred for Antonio is also obvious and it is so strong that he refuses all offers of money so that he can cut off a pound of his flesh. In Act 3 Scene 1 Shylock makes his famous â€Å"Hath not a Jew eyes?† speech, and it is probably at this point that the audienceShow MoreRelatedAnti-Semitism and Racism in the Merchant of Venice1019 Words   |  5 PagesAnti-Semitism and racism in The Merchant Of Venice. Anti-Semitism and the desecration of the Jewish population have been in existence for nearly five thousand years. In William Shakespeares â€Å"The Merchant of Venice†, we find that one of the characters is the subject and expression of anti-Semitic attitude that is persistent in Elizabethan society. William Shakespeares â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† contains many examples that insult Jewish heritage because they were the minority in London in ShakespeareanRead MoreDifferent Forms of Prejudice Present in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare1159 Words   |  5 PagesDifferent Forms of Prejudice Present in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Different types of people, affected by their own views can define prejudice in many different ways. The Collins Concise Dictionary definition of prejudice is an opinion formed beforehand, especially an unfavourable one based on inadequate facts. Another definition is intolerance of or dislike for people of a specific race, religion, etc. From this, it is obvious that prejudice, although oftenRead MoreRacism And Prejudice By William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pagesand left out because of their religion and what they believe in, however there is racism and prejudice present in the world. William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial plays. Written in the 16th century England, the play poses many questions concerning racial, religious and human differences due to anti-semitism being very common at the time. The story is set in Venice where a merchant named Antonio lived. His poor friend Bassanio wants to charm and marry a lovelyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Merchant Of Venice 1918 Words   |  8 PagesPerformance Analysis of T he Merchant of Venice Jordan Thomas Mullineaux-Davis William Shakespeare has regularly throughout time been referred to and could be viewed as anti-Semitic because of the cultural implications within many of his plays. A particularly strong example of this could be The Merchant of Venice. This essay will explore arguments of post-colonialism within The Merchant of Venice, discussing the pertinent issues of anti-semitism, racial isolation and prejudice. It will also comment onRead MoreThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Essay1501 Words   |  7 PagesThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Shakespeare’s portrayal of Shylock as rapacious and cruel is in the traditional style of an Elizabethan villain. A modern audience could argue that he has also humanised Shylock, and therefore gained some sympathy for his actions. From your reading of the â€Å"Merchant of Venice† examine these diverse reactions to the complex characterisation of Shylock. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Shylock is unconditionally evil, and a

Abolitionist dbq Free Essays

Abolitionist DBQ In the united States from 1861 to 1865 the American Civil War took place over a disagreement between Northerners and Southerners ot their interpretation ot the Consitution and view on slavery. There were many factors that played a role in creating and helping the war start and end, and one specifically Is the mass amounts of rebellions and abolitionists. The Abolitionist Movement, whose ranks were made up of whites and blacks, not only acted as a catalyst for the emancipation of slavery but resulted In an Inevitable demonstrative civil war that Is accepted and supported y the abolitionists for the greater cause. We will write a custom essay sample on Abolitionist dbq or any similar topic only for you Order Now Abolitionists and their literary accomplishments sped the end result of the civil war. There was a range of intensity In the varying abolitionists. For example, some Ilke Abraham Lincoln sought the gradual abolition of slavery, which was associated with a certain organization that catered to do this (l). Abraham Lincoln and the Quakers supported the American colonization society founded In 1817. other abolitionists, more radical, favored an immediate end to the unjust institution of slavery; they did so by spreading the wareness and message through literature and rebellions. Some important radical abolitionist are: Theodore Dwight weld, a simple, self-educated man that wrote American Slavery As It Is, which is a pamphlet informing in ignorant of slavery written in 1839. Another huge advocate are the Beechers’, but most Importantly Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote uncle Tom’s Cabin, a book that caused a huge reaction against the abolition of slavery. In addition, William Lloyd Garrison published the newspaper, The Liberator, that had a heavy response. Moreover, Frederick Douglas, a orn slave, wrote the autobiography The Life of Frederick Douglas. In all, there were many more abolitionists but these were the most radical of them all. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s uncle Torn’s Cabin showed the Injustice in slavery and made it apparent to all people, which caused a response in the masses (P). This book is one of concrete pushes towards the abolishment of slavery and gains a mass base of believers. Likewise, Garrison’s newspaper, The Liberator, told people the truth about slavery and states he â€Å"WILL BE HEARD† (E). Coincidentally, Nat Turner’s Rebellion out broke at he same time as The Liberator, which caused some Southerners to take action and pursue war. It also brought a lot of believers and followers. The power of literature brought great change throughout the nation at this time. Frederick Douglas makes this apparent because his autobiography upset the South and gave strength to the North. He states that without antislavery movements the war would not have progress as fast and slavery would have stayed a nation of slaves Looking at the joining of California as a state, It brought much conflict between this inevitable war nd abolltlonlsts only helped progress It. Kansas and Nebraska Act also split the nation badly. In all, the abolitionist made an impression and acted as a catalyst to the end of slavery because even Danlel Webster noticed that everything was changing in which he said he and the South would tight back (D). With all ot the abolitionists movement it only caused the inevitable war _ In addition. Congress brought power to the lesser of the time (H). For example, Wilberforce University, a black college, empowered and brought bonds to owner the war. Congress noticed and needed to fght back. So the south responded with war (N). For example, the firing of Ft. sumpter that started the civil war. In return the North used immigrants such as the slaves, Irish, Germans, to supply the war with masses (G). The North in the long run had the masses due to the ratio slaves had over all other populations, and the manufacturing advantage they had (E). The food supply, textile advantages all played a role to win over long time over the South and kill their morale and win the battle. In all, the abolitionists started and helped progress the war and end slavery. In the union from 1861 to 1865 the American Civil War took place because a disagreement between Northerners and Southerners of their interpretation of the Constitution and view on slavery. Many factors that played a role in creating and helping the war start and end, and one specifically is the mass amounts of rebellions and abolitionists. The Abolitionist Movement, whose ranks were made up of whites and blacks, not only acted as a catalyst for the emancipation of slavery but resulted in an inevitable demonstrative civil war that is accepted and supported by the abolitionists for the greater cause. How to cite Abolitionist dbq, Papers

Allegory of the Cave Reaction Paper free essay sample

Plato argues that perceptions of material objects are imperfect reflections of an unchanging form of truth that can be pursued through the quest for knowledge and belief. He outlines the order in which the escaped prisoner would ascend in understanding; â€Å"At first it would be easiest to make out shadows, and then the images of men and things reflected in water, and later on the things themselves†¦ last of all, he would be able to look at the sun and contemplate its nature†¦ in its own domain.† Basically: the cave is our societal structure, we are the prisoners, the shadows are our limited understanding of reality, and the sun is the ultimate truth. Through this process that the escaped prisoner goes through to reach understanding of the outside world, Plato implies that the sun represents the ultimate truth that the escaped prisoner eventually reaches, corresponding with â€Å"the essential Form of Goodness†, suggesting that Goodness equates with the highest level of understanding. We will write a custom essay sample on Allegory of the Cave Reaction Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This defines for the readers that learning and knowledge is a slow progression that leads to the truth by demystifying the shadows of imperfect objects, classifying truth as the greatest enlightenment and righteousness available. Plato speaks of the escaped prisoner seeing the light for the first time,† he will suffer sharp pains; the glare will distress him . . .† Plato acknowledges that finding Truth is not an easy process. It requires pain and struggle and confusion. But he argues that one must always take part in a process of seeking higher knowledge and attaining wisdom to reach a point of true understanding. This is hard on the Self to adjust to internal changes of perception, but it is even harder to face those who have not seen the light—those who have not encountered Truth. Plato says in the allegory that â€Å"Men would say of him that up he went and down he came without his eyes . . . † meanings that once the escapee returns to his fellow cave dwellers, they would not see him as more knowledgeable. They would see him as impaired by his journey. He goes further to say that they would insult him for thinking that what he saw was truer or â€Å"more good† than their shadow reality. I think that this parallels modern society very well. It is so true that in our society, those with transcendent experiences and knowledge tend to be seen as â€Å"crazy† or â€Å"unstable† and are brushed to the side, ostracized, or â€Å"steered back on path†. Which leads to the question of who to follow—those that are blind with knowledge or those with keen sight of a lower realm of truth? In the end, Plato discusses the role of those who ascend with knowledge, saying that it is their duty to the state to return to lower states of consciousness in order to maintain unity. Not just having intelligence makes someone good, that desire to keep learning more and to share such knowledge defines a person. Plato gives an example: â€Å"Did you never observe the narrow intelligence flashing from the keen eye of a clever rogue how eager he is, how clearly his paltry soul sees the way to his end; he is the reverse of blind, but his keen eyesight is forced into the service of evil, and he is mischievous in proportion to his cleverness . . . â€Å" Based on this, I think Plato would advocate for his city-state a leader that was not only a student and intellectual explorer, but a true philosopher who would be willing to become enlightened (even if the process is a painful journey) and then rule with such knowledge to benefit all those with less vision. Such a ruler would be more concerned with spiritual benefit from the job than the material benefits of having so much power. Their wealth is of the mind. I agree with Plato! I think that a true philosopher would be a great rule because the philosophers learn to look at things from multiple angles, in an objective manner, so I think that such a ruler would not be self-motivated in their actions and would act fairly and justly to represent all the citizens. No one is perfect, but a philosopher continuously seeks higher knowledge and there for would always be on the edge of new discoveries that would advance the peoples’ lives. I think that what a person can spiritually and intellectually contribute to a society far out weighs all other forms of donation.