Merchant of Venice: an essay plan on the theme of prejudice
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Course
English
Institution
GCSE
A detailed plan exploring a variety of strong points to use in an extract study. 3 points have been planned in depth with relevant quotations and links along with context linked in bold. This significantly helped during my exam as I could recycle these points.
Used to highlight injustices faced by minorities in venetian Prejudice’s effects are highlighted in Jessica to criticise venetian society’s treatment of jews .While the
society jews shows hypocritical attitudes in religion hatred shylock feels from mistreatment where he has been “stained with shame” , his daughter
Jessica feels hate for her Jewish blood
Shylock referred to as “the jew” 32x animalistic
Antonio’s attitude to Bassanio very loving but not to Through her hatred of Judaism. Shakespeare represents hatred as smth blinding which makes
shylock because he does usury condemned by you act irrationally shows importance of acceptance in society to prevent this
Jessica desperately tires to rid herself of these negative stereotypes being villainous, greedy
church (new testament) and prosecuted, jews
and a thief eg attempts to convince Lorenzo she is “not to his (shylock’s) liking” emphas-
marginalised and society used to them being
ising shame, despite shylock clearly caring nature for her safety e.g. keeping doors closed
depicted as villains “even the devil can cite scripture broken family dynamic forces pity and emphasises consequences of hate from a Christian so-
for his purpose” why does Antonio not “love thy ciety
neighbour as yourself”? States that she does not want to “hold a candle to my (her) shames” wants to desperately
Shylock can’t have a job except usury The Christian hide Jewish nature turns Christian due to extent of hatred born from societal views mind
leaders were keen to suppress the activities of the Jews, clouded with bias Shakespeare shows it is unjust to force conversions bc not genuine and
problem due to Christian negligence “if you prick still prejudiced against her shows hypocrisy of society
us do we not bleed?” “the villainy YOU teach me, I Can also be seen in Morocco where before even introducing himself he instructs to “mistake me
shall execute” Christians at fault and shylock is a not for my complexion” fact that England does not have to worry about this issue highlights
product of prejudice in a Christian society: “learned” privilege and arrogance of white society Morocco “gets what he deserves” wasn’t Portia,
hate from Christians “I hate him for he is a Christian” just because of his skin?
“which is the merchant and which is the jew?” no Prejudice Bold context Red quotes
difference, same ppl hath not a jew eyes?”
shows they are biologically the same so hate Prejudice against women
unnecessary Portia’s rebellious nature stems of lack of control she had from her dead father from separa-
Christian privilege shown in court scene Bassanio tion through hate
says “to do a great right, do a little wrong”, shylock Dressed up as Balthazar in court scene
doesn’t have this luxury despite Venice being famous Women didn’t work so shocked audience
for its legal system “I crave the law”, “I will have my Intelligence seen in “quality of mercy” speech) would also surprise audience bc not ex-
bond” desperate for justice but won’t get it pected of women, who were expected to stay home
“rendering none” (mercy) Would find a man playing Portia ironic shows women’s potential
Shakespeare who had a daughter himself wanted to highlight how supressing women of their
Jessica fears this prejudice and emphasises “I am not
potential was dangerous bc it would make them more rebellious. Portia’s hate for her dad can
to his manners” embarrassed to show how
be seen as a warning to male audience to be watchful of their treatment towards women
effect of prejudice is unfair
Set in Venice to avoid accusations of treason when
presenting shylock as vulnerable
“For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe).
You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,
And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine”
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