What do you know about the restrictions on Jews regarding property, why did many of them turn to usury?Research the politics of money lending in Elizabethan England. What does the play, in its attack on Shylock's value of money, and the riddle of the caskets, say about material wealth in Venetian society? it,s one of the questionss of my english project pls tell
Answers
Many leaders throughout history have made Jews the scapegoats of many major problems in society. Without the Jews, society would be perfect, these tyrants would argue. Unfortunately, this stereotyping is not a thing of the past; it was not even a century ago that Hitler dreamed of an ideal race, a race without the presence of the Jews. In his article about modern anti-Semitism John Perazzo states, “It is the world’s oldest pastime: When in doubt, blame the Jews. Long is their history of being scapegoated for every conceivable misfortune besetting society” (Perazzo). Even Shakespeare could not turn a blind eye to the hatred around him. Therefore, the Jewish stereotypes and the anti-Semitism inclinations that have shaped Shakespeare’s character, Shylock from The Merchant of Venice can be found to still influence modern society’s views and beliefs.
Shakespeare’s impression of the Jews had to be derived from stereotypes of his time. It is unlikely that Shakespeare ever met a Jew - Edward I banished them from England in 1290. Although, it is possible that he met Roderigo Lopez a chastised Jew that was hung for trying to poison Queen Elizabeth (Bloom 25). Besides, common people saw Jews as an object of loathing because Jews were in the business of usury, or loaning money for profit. Shakespeare uses Antonio to point to Jews as a scapegoat. Even though, he never mentions that Jews had no choice left to go into the profession of money lending since there were restrictions against the Jews entering into many other jobs (32). Shakespeare could not escape stereotypes of the Jews: they were everywhere in his society.
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