Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice BACKGROUND

Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice BACKGROUND

Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice Where is Venice? The centre of finance, art, science, fashion, technology, trade and technology. Where is Genoa? Where is Belmont? (Beautiful Mountain – a fictional fairy tale place made up by Shakespeare)

Venice

VENICE: Attitudes, Values & Beliefs in Shakespearean Times The richest city in Europe. Important Mediterranean trading centre for goods from the Far East – the gateway to the exotic – main port of trade with Asia. Rich, commercial and banking centre that financed many of Europe’s ventures. Silks, spices, jewels, slaves and other expensive items bought and sold there. Because of Venice's position as a centre for trade, it was full of people of many different nationalities, religions and races. A wealthy and powerful society of lust and decadence. An exotic location for an Elizabethan audience.

VENICE: Renown in England for: political independence great scientific and technical innovation, learning, printing and manufacturing. relaxed attitudes to sexual morals and love of pleasure reputation of being the centre of fashion, art, culture and sophistication. tolerance of different nationalities and different religions, although limited extreme displays of wealth exotic living

VENICE: Who had the power? Venice was run by a Christian Duke, or Doge, and a Christian Council of Ten, who ruled with an iron fist. They looked after their own – mates’ club of very wealthy and very powerful Christian males... Rich females not powerful at all; under control of fathers and husbands. All Venetians were encouraged to do whatever they had to for the security of the state, even spying on other ports. People who were seen to have committed a crime against the state were often killed without trial and their bodies were left in the street to serve as a warning to others.

PREJUDICE in Venice – Anti-Semitism Jews in Venice were mainly money lenders as they did not have many other career options. They were seen as a necessary evil; they were the bankers to society, but Christian magistrates had the power to restrict economic activity. Venetian Jews were forced to live in a “ghetto”. They were locked into this high walled ghetto after curfew and guarded by Christian soldiers. They were made to wear “red caps” so they could be distinguished. It was illegal for Christians and Jews to marry or have sex . The Pope had forbidden all Jews from holding public office; that they should have special clothing to distinguish them from Christians, and were not allowed in public during Easter week.

PREJUDICE in England Middle East: Christian Romans tried to crush the Jewish faith even though Jesus himself was a Jew. Many Jews moved away to escape persecution, taking their customs and cultures with them. Through their hard work and consequent success in business, Jews were often resented in their new homes, especially in Christian countries. 1066 - The first Jewish communities came to England from Northern France, after they were persecuted by the French Christian priests. England: Jews were not allowed to own land nor allowed to keep serfs (peasant workers). No choice but to deal in money and trade as Christians could not lend money for interest (as directed by the Pope). Kings depended on loans from Jewish money lenders to finance their wars (remember, this is in the days before banks). Unfortunately this resulted in Jewish communities being caught up in political in-fighting. In York in 1190 hundreds of Jews were besieged in the York castle; many committed suicide and those who did not were murdered. The mob responsible was led by a nobleman who was in debt to the Jewish money lenders.

PREJUDICE in England Prejudice against Jews increased after more and more Christians began getting into debt. Jews were made to wear yellow strips of cloth, they were taxed heavily and were forbidden to mix with Christians. 1231- The Earl of Leicester barred Jews from taking up residence in the city of London and forced landlords to pledge to keep them out. (It was not until January 2001 that the Leicester City Council formally renounced 800-year-old ban on Jews.) 1254 – Jews begged the King to allow them to leave England after a long period of random massacres (Richard I’s coronation); seizing of property and money to replenish royal treasury. 1290 – Jews were banished from England by King Edward I after a long time of rampant anti-Semitism. They were not seen in England again for nearly 400 years. Some stayed and converted to Christianity, but not many. 17th century – Jews returned to England after the Leader of Parliament – Oliver Cromwell invited them.

PREJUDICE in England Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice 300 years later in the 1500s. During the absence of Jews from England, it became common to blame lots of disasters and deaths on them. They were considered devils for no reason at all. No Jews lived in England when Merchant was first performed. Shakespeare's audience would not have known any Jews; and it’s very unlikely that Shakespeare himself would have met one. Shakespeare’s audience’s knowledge of Jews would have been based on rumour and prejudice; that Jews murdered Jesus and were in league with the devil etc. They would have enjoyed the verbal insults and racist jokes against Shylock, and would probably not have questioned the treatment Shylock receives as we do today.  

Banking industry increasing. New world discovered. WHAT WAS USURY? Moral debates in Shakespeare’s time over making money through someone else’s need. Banking industry increasing. New world discovered. Growth of overseas markets and trade. All of this needed cash – money lent on interest. Shakespeare’s own dad was charged and fined for lending money.

What the Bible says: Exodus: If thou lend money to my people, that is, to the poor with thee, thou shalt not be as an usurer unto him: ye shall not oppress him with usury. Leviticus: Thou shalt take no usury of him nor vantage...thou shalt not give him thy money to usury, nor lend him thy vituals for increase.  

The Christians of Venice Antonio – THE CHRISTIAN MERCHANT OF VENICE - best mates with Bassanio Gratiano – best mates with Bassanio, falls in love with Nerissa The Duke of Venice: The Dog Solanio and Salarino & Salerio – all mates with Antonio and Bassanio Lorenzo – mates with Bassanio, falls in love with Jessica Bassanio – Antonio’s best mate, falls in love with Portia

the JEWISH MONEYLENDER OF VENICE Tubal – Shylock’s Jewish friend The Jews of Venice Shylock – the JEWISH MONEYLENDER OF VENICE Tubal – Shylock’s Jewish friend Launcelot Gobbo- Shylock’s servant & Old Gobbo – Launcelot’s dad Jessica - Shylock’s daughter who falls in love with the Christian Lorenzo

The Christians of Belmont Princess Portia of Belmont, falls in love with Bassanio, disguises herself as Balthazar Balthazar and Stephano - servants to Portia Nerissa, Portia’s lady in waiting, falls in love with Gratiano