The Theme of Inequality in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice

Inequality is a theme that is continuously occurring in The Merchant of Venice, a play written by William Shakespeare in the 16th century, which portrays racism and prejudice that till this day, remains an important symbol of unequal opportunities and discrimination against a certain group based on their race, religion and ethnicity in society. Some characters in this play become victims of racism and prejudice after experiencing a series of inequalities that would later become a catalyst for equality in the modern world. These themes are followed in today’s society which allows the audience to form a connection and express empathy for the characters. Shakespeare writes of explicit content regarding the issues of racism and prejudice, doing so in such great detail that we can relive the experience of each individual thus presenting an important topic to the modern audience.

The Merchant of Venice explores the theme of racism and prejudice, an issue that continues to exist in today’s society. Specifically shown in the play is antisemitism against Shylock, Antonio’s usurer. Shylock, a Jewish, becomes the target of Antonio and his friend’s antisemitism and is constantly pegged by derogatory terms and verbal abuse. For instance, in Scene 1, Act III, Shylock defends his profession as a usurer, a person who lends money at an exceptionally high-interest rate whereas Antonio, lends money interest-free “He lends out money gratis and brings down / The rate of usance here with us in Venice.” Antonio’s non-interest payments and rumours about Shylock causes him to have a bad reputation thus getting hurled antisemitic insults by his friends, especially in Act 4 where Gratiano curses him “O, be thou damn’d, inexecrable dog!” as well as “currish Jew”, referring to him as a dog. Shylock’s antisemitic abuse highlights the harsh inequality Jewish people face for their religion and similarly, in modern times too where many practice racial antisemitism against Jews as a racial group rather than their religion, Judaism. In 2014, German Chancellor Angela Merkel led a rally against antisemitism after many activities of antisemitism surfaced in Germany. This comes after a 2012 poll which revealed that 18% of the Turks in Germany still think of Jews as inferior human beings. A study undertaken by Bielefeld University in 2017 found that a large percentage of the attacks on Jews were perpetrated by Muslims. Shakespeare’s focus on Antisemitism and prejudice against Jews in The Merchant of Venice allows the modern audience to link the issue to the present time.

Additionally, prejudice against minorities such as Jews, varies from one person to another as many are preconceived by unfounded opinions by society. This is relevant in today’s society because each individual will have their perception and belief in religion and or race. In Act 4, Portia, the heiress of Belmont, narrates “One drop of Christian blood, thy lands, and goods / Are, by laws of Venice, confiscate / unto the state of Venice”, outlining the justified treatments of Jews and other minorities. She then discuss to Nerissa about her possible suitors “If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wife me.” Portia’s biases against men with darker complexions shows the racial prejudice passed on to her by her Christian society. In 2017, an Orthodox Jew, Sarah Halimi was murdered and thrown off her balcony by a man shouting Arabic ideologies. Furthermore, antisemitism by the Muslim community has grown in recent years with many arguing that Jews refuse to recognise Muhammad as the prophet of God and are treacherous sinners. Shakespeare’s successful attempt in representing inequality in this play further supports the notion that prejudicial remarks on Jews differ from individuals and or their society due to unfounded opinions.

The Merchant of Venice continues to hold relevance in modern times as it symbolically represents the inequality such as racism and prejudice still observed in today’s society. More importantly, it centres around the antisemitism faced by Shylock, a Jew who is constantly harassed by Antonio and his friends. This play provides an understanding for the modern audience as it allows them to visualise and reflect on the extreme discrimination on certain minorities which, unfortunately, still exists today.