Write an account of the socio economic,cultural and historical background of the play "The Merchant of Venice"
Answers
In the last decade of 16th Century, William Shakespeare wrote an extraordinary play titled "The Merchant of Venice". Elizabethans of that era were extremely anti-Semitic and because of their anti-Semitic approach the subject matter of the play, alone, would have grabbed the audiences' heed.
However the reported attempt of poisoning of Queen Elizabeth by Dr. Lopez and a play “Jew of Malta” from the mighty pen of Christopher Marlowe prepared the solid ground for the successful running of Shakespeare’s play. The event added fuel to the fury of the Elizabethan anti-Semitic mindset and because of this event Elizabethans were unhappy with Jews. The "Merchant of Venice" seemed to be a perfect opportunity to express their hatred for the Jews. "Lopez" is the Spanish word for wolf. The Elizabethan audience cherished this theme and outward hatred towards Jews.
What we need to realize is that with the passage of time there is change in the attitude of the readers and audience towards the play. Therefore, there is a difference of approach present between the 16th Century audience and the 21st Century audience. This change in attitude has taken place due to the events of World War II, where Adolph Hitler and the Nazis treated the Jews in unimaginable, inhumane and unacceptable ways.