Question

Why did Shylock call Launcelot as Hagar's offspring?
(Merchant Of Venice(Act 2 Scene5))​

Answer 1

Hagar was the slave woman who worked for Sarah, the wife of Abraham.

Abraham is believed to be the founder of the Jewish religion and customs.

Elizabethan Jews like Shylock had the belief that all Jews had descended from the lineage of Abraham and Sarah and all non-Jews had descended from Hagar, the slave woman.

Shylock hence refers to Launcelot, who was his Christian servant, as Hagar's offspring because of Shylock's prejudice and Launcelot's apparent laziness and idleness.

Answer 2

Answer:

The reference is meet to the Bible Genesis chapter 21 where Hagar and her son were expelled into the wilderness by Abraham. Hagar was the maid of Abraham's wife Sarah and the mother of Abraham's first born, Ishmael. The Jews believe themselves to be descendants of Sarah. The non Jews are thought to belong to the line of Hagar. So Launcelot is called Hagar's offspring.