Set during the Sixteenth Century, the Jewish race were banished from England and made their way to the greater part of Italy. They were not however, allowed to practice their Jewish faith …show more content…
In Walter Saunders essay The Merchant of Venice and Anti-Semitism he examines how Antonio is described as ‘good’ and a ‘true gentleman’ just like many Christians view one another. Even Bassanio, the man responsible for Antonio’s debt to Shylock describes him as someone who will do no harm, and is forever kind and considerate to others “a wearied spirit, in doing courtesies” (3.2.293). Saunders explains, a man with such great qualities should feel some form of guilt for having treated Shylock in such poor taste as he once riddled him with racial slurs, but how does Antonio respond to Shylock accusations: “I am as like to call thee so again, to spet on thee again, to spurn thee too” (1.3.127-128). A man described as ‘good’ and considerate, feels zero guilt in his treatment of Shylock and admits he will do it again and yet, stands before Shylock to ask for money. But like most Christians during the sixteenth century and even in modern day, believe they are above all those who do not worship as they do. Antonio is self-righteous and believes he has good reason to treat Shylock as such. Saunders’ highlight it was common during this era that many Jews were treated in this fashion and it can only be attributed to an anti-Semitic upbringing within the church whose “demonization of Jews was part of its dogma” (Saunders). Illustrated as the devil and “blasphemous