Historical Context (The Merchant of Venice)
This section explores the historical context under which The Merchant of Venice was written by William Shakespeare. Understanding the historical context of The Merchant of Venice is crucial for interpreting its themes, characters, and societal values. The play, written between 1596 and 1598, reflects the social, cultural, and religious climate of Elizabethan England.
Anti-Semitism in Elizabethan England
Christian-Jewish Relations: During Shakespeare's time, anti-Semitism was widespread in Europe, including England, where Jews had been officially expelled since 1290. Despite this, Jews were often portrayed negatively in literature and theatre, typically as greedy, cunning, or villainous figures. Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, embodies many of these stereotypical traits, though Shakespeare gives him moments of humanity.
Popular Jewish Figures: The character of Shylock likely draws on existing stereotypes of Jews in Elizabethan literature. Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta (1589), for instance, features a Jewish villain named Barabas, whose cruelty and greed bear similarities to Shylock.
The Trial of Roderigo Lopez (1594): A significant event that likely influenced Shakespeare’s portrayal of Shylock was the trial and execution of Roderigo Lopez, a Portuguese-Jewish physician accused of plotting to poison Queen Elizabeth I. Although the evidence was dubious, Lopez’s Jewish heritage played a role in his conviction, and the case fuelled anti-Semitic sentiment in England.
Relevance to Shylock:
Shylock’s character reflects the prejudices of the time, but Shakespeare complicates this stereotype by presenting him as both a villain and a victim. His famous speech, “Hath not a Jew eyes?”, humanises him and questions the treatment of Jews in a Christian society. However, the play ultimately portrays Shylock as a defeated figure, forced to convert to Christianity, which reflects the dominant Christian viewpoint of the period.
Venice as a Trading Centre
Venice as a Setting: Venice was a major commercial hub during the Renaissance, known for its trade and wealth. The choice of Venice as the play’s setting reflects the themes of commerce, wealth, and legal contracts that are central to the plot.
International Trade: Venice was one of the wealthiest cities in Europe due to its strategic position in Mediterranean trade, dealing in goods from around the world. This setting allows Shakespeare to explore the role of money and business, especially through the characters of Antonio, the merchant, and Shylock, the moneylender.
Merchants and Usury: In Venice, both Christians and Jews engaged in trade and finance, but Christian doctrine forbade the practice of usury (lending money at interest). This led to Jews becoming moneylenders, a profession often scorned by Christians. Shylock’s occupation as a usurer plays into the prejudices of the time, with Antonio, a Christian, refusing to lend money at interest, contrasting with Shylock’s business practices.
Relevance to the Play:
The conflict between Antonio and Shylock is deeply rooted in their opposing roles in Venetian society—Antonio as a Christian merchant, and Shylock as a Jewish usurer. The setting of Venice, a city built on trade and contracts, reinforces the themes of wealth, commerce, and the legal system.
The courtroom scene emphasises the legalistic nature of Venetian society, where strict adherence to the law is prioritised. Shylock’s insistence on his bond reflects this, as he demands justice according to the law rather than showing mercy.
Elizabethan Attitudes towards Money and Class
Class and Wealth: Elizabethan society was hierarchical, with a rigid class structure. Social mobility was limited, but wealth, particularly through trade and commerce, could elevate one’s status. Bassanio’s desire to marry Portia, a wealthy heiress, reflects the importance of wealth in determining social position and marriage prospects.
Marriage and Dowries: In Elizabethan England, marriage was often seen as a means to improve social and financial standing. This is reflected in Bassanio’s motivations for seeking Portia’s hand. Though he does love her, he openly admits that he needs her wealth to pay off his debts: “a lady richly left”.
Moneylending: Christians viewed moneylending with suspicion, as it was considered immoral to profit from someone else’s financial need. However, the growing importance of commerce in the Renaissance led to a gradual shift in attitudes. Shylock’s role as a moneylender and the tension it creates with Antonio’s Christian values reflects this transitional period in attitudes towards wealth and finance.
Relevance to the Play:
The play explores the themes of wealth and social status, with many characters driven by financial concerns. Antonio’s melancholic nature may be linked to his risky financial ventures, while Bassanio’s quest for Portia is as much about securing his future as it is about love.
Shylock’s role as a usurer and his insistence on the legal bond reflect the changing attitudes towards money and business during the period. The tension between Christian values (which emphasise mercy and charity) and the harsh realities of commerce is a key theme.
The Role of Women in Elizabethan Society
Limited Rights: Women in Elizabethan England had few legal rights and were generally expected to obey their fathers and husbands. They were often regarded as property, and marriages were typically arranged to benefit families socially and financially.
Portia’s Role: Despite the restrictions on women, Shakespeare presents Portia as a strong and intelligent character who exercises considerable agency within the confines of her society. She disguises herself as a male lawyer to save Antonio, using her intellect and legal knowledge to outwit Shylock.
Marriage and Patriarchy: Portia’s father’s will, which forces her to marry the man who chooses the correct casket, symbolises the control men had over women’s lives. Portia’s eventual success in choosing her husband and her role in the courtroom can be seen as a subtle critique of the limited roles available to women in Elizabethan society.
Relevance to the Play:
The casket test reflects the notion that women were often treated as commodities, with their value determined by wealth and inheritance. Portia’s situation, where her future is dictated by her father’s will, underscores the patriarchal structure of Elizabethan society.
However, Portia’s ability to manipulate the situation to her advantage, particularly in the courtroom scene, challenges the traditional gender roles, showing that women could be resourceful and powerful within the limitations of their society.
Religious Tensions
Christianity vs. Judaism: The tension between Christianity and Judaism is a central theme of the play, reflecting the religious divisions of the time. The Elizabethans viewed Christianity as the superior religion, and conversion to Christianity was seen as a path to salvation.
Shylock’s Conversion: Shylock’s forced conversion to Christianity at the end of the play highlights the power dynamics between Christians and Jews in Venetian society. This conversion can be interpreted as a punishment for Shylock’s insistence on revenge, but it also reflects the broader cultural view that Judaism was inferior to Christianity.
Mercy vs. Justice: The play explores Christian ideals of mercy, forgiveness, and charity, particularly in Portia’s courtroom speech. Shylock’s strict adherence to the letter of the law, in contrast, is portrayed as unmerciful, reflecting a stereotype that Jews were more focused on justice than mercy.
Relevance to the Play:
The religious conflict between Shylock and the Christian characters is symbolic of broader societal divisions. Antonio’s contempt for Shylock’s Jewish faith and the forced conversion serve as reflections of the religious intolerance of the time.
The play’s exploration of the themes of justice and mercy can be viewed through the lens of Christian doctrine, with the Christian characters advocating mercy, while Shylock represents the rigid application of justice.
Conclusion:
The historical context of The Merchant of Venice is vital to understanding its characters, themes, and the societal tensions it portrays. The play reflects the anti-Semitism, religious tensions, and patriarchal values of Elizabethan England, while also engaging with broader issues of money, justice, and mercy in a rapidly changing world. Shakespeare uses these societal issues to create a complex narrative that questions the moral values and prejudices of his time.
