The Merchant Of Venice - Anti-Semitism Essays - Shylock,

The Merchant of Venice - Anti-Semitism William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice contains many examples that insult Jews because they were the minority in London in Shakespeare's time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times, Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of London's population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living there. Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice supports anti-Semitism actions and thoughts and therefore proves that Shakespeare was an anti-Semite. In the second act, Launcelot is debating with himself whether or not he should seek a new employer. Launcelot's problem is that he works for Shylock, who is Jewish. Launcelot persuades himself that, ?Certainly the Jew [Shylock] is the very devil incarnation (2.2.24) Eventually, Launcelot convinces himself that he would much rather run away than be ruled by a Jew. Launcelot presents this argument to his father: ?I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer.? (2.2.104) Before Launcelot accepts a new job with Bassanio as his master, he is reminded that Bassanio is much poorer than Shylock. His reply to Bassanio was, ?You have the grace of / God, sir, and he [Shylock] hath enough.? (2.2.139-40) Lorenzo insults Shylock behind his back when he tells Jessica (Shylock's daughter) that if Shylock ever makes it to heaven, it is only because Jessica converted to Christianity. Lorenzo said, ?If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, / It will be for his gentle daughter's sake (2.4.36-7) When Lorenzo says this, he is implying that Shylock's faith and his Jewish heritage is not strong enough to get him into heaven. Lorenzo says that if Shylock is saved, it is by his Jessica's sake, because she has chosen Christianity over Judaism. This statement implies that Lorenzo believes that Christianity is the religion that is powerful enough to admit one into heaven; therefore Lorenzo is biased against anyone that is not a Christian, such as Shylock the Jew. Later in the play Jessica is insulted by Launcelot. Launcelot believes that parents' sins are passed down to their children. He also believes that being Jewish is a sin. Launcelot frankly tells Jessica his opinion of her: ?For truly I think you are damned.? (3.5.5) He explains that she is damned by both her father and mother because she was born Jewish. Launcelot tells Jessica that her only hope is that, ?Your father got / you not--that you are not the Jew's daughter.? (3.5.9-10) When Jessica hears this, she defends herself by telling Launcelot, ?I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made / me a Christian.? (3.5.17-8) This conversation between Launcelot and Jessica supports that Shakespeare was anti-Semitic because it states that Jews can only be saved by becoming Christians. Throughout The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare uses examples of anti-Semitism. An Elizabethan audience would have perceived these situations as humorous because it was their reality. But to a Semite or a modern audience, this play may seem offensive and attacking. Launcelot decided to find a new master because he thought that being around Jews was dangerous to his health and mind. Lorenzo stated that the only way Shylock would get to heaven is by his gentle daughter (because she converted to Christianity). And Launcelot told Jessica that she was damned because she was born Jewish. The three discussed are only a few of the insulting situations that Shakespeare presents for Jews and modern audiences in The Merchant of Venice that prove that he was anti-Semitic.

Sample Essays of an IB English Literature Paper

Sample Essays of an IB English Literature PaperTo make sure you understand the fundamental content of IB English Literature Paper, it is better if you read some sample essays. You can find them online or from the literature review institutions.You have to compare the different paper, maybe one of yours or your teacher's. Check whether the sentence was grammatically correct. If there is something wrong with it, correct it immediately. You will know that you understand it, as the final exam depends on it.Of course, you can't expect a teacher to give a standard paper. Your goal should be to reflect on it and come up with a unique paper. However, it is important to do your best in it. If your essay is not properly constructed, you will still receive some good marks.Your English Literature Paper may be based on the topics selected by the examiner. The topic of the exam will depend on what subject you chose for your IB English Literature Paper. Some subjects have more sample essays than ot hers. For example, the literature of the 19th century might be based on Aimee Mann. In this case, the sample essay from Literature of the 19th century must be carefully crafted to represent the topic in its entirety.Literature of the century is not an easy topic to write on. It is also a long essay, which makes it a difficult one. At the same time, there are few aspects to be considered in the history of literature. Because of this, a shorter essay could represent the topic better.Writing an English Literature Paper is more demanding than writing a business-like essay. If you have not experienced it, you won't be able to write about the subject accurately. However, the IB English Literature paper does not focus on the story, so you can include some facts and opinions about a particular author or book in it. However, you must keep all facts in check, otherwise you could get into trouble.The IB English Literature Paper includes examples of many types of essays. When you are writing a sample essay, you must use them. The examples will help you focus on your topic better and avoid making errors.