anti - semitism

Question 1

how does antonio show anti - semetism towards shylock

Answer 1

shylock accuses antonio of spitting and kicking him because he is jewish, instead of denying this, antonio says he would do it again.
you spit upon my jewish gaberdine

Question 2

how does solanio show anti - semetism towards shylock

Answer 2

calls shylock the ‘dog jew’, echoeing antonios language.

Question 3

how does gratiano show anti - semetism towards shylock

Answer 3

in the court although gratiano doesnt openly make fun his religion, he draws attetnion to it be addressing him as ‘jew.

Question 4

is the play anti - semetic

Answer 4

on one hand the play ends with shylocks punishment and humiliation being a good thing.
on the other hand some beleive shakespeare has created a complex character that audiences sympathise with.
different audiences bring different attitudes, often shaped by the society they live in

Question 5

is society seen as anti - semetic

Answer 5

venetian law punishes people seen as aliens, including jews, although the law does not specifically discriminate against jews, just any outsider

Question 6

solanio talking about shylock

Answer 6

solanios account of shylocks distress after his daughters enlopement focusses on his jewishness using derogetory language. the juxtaposition of ‘jew’ and ‘villain’ links shylocks percieved evil nature to his religion. solanios similar language to antonio, such as ‘dog jew’, this suggests that all of venetian society are anti - semetic.