‘Which is the Merchant here, and which the Jew?’

‘‘Which is the Which is the Merchant here, Merchant here, and which the and which the

Jew?’Jew?’Shylock’s ‘Otherness’ in Shylock’s ‘Otherness’ in The The Merchant of VeniceMerchant of Venice

Mapping charactersMapping characters

‘US’

‘THEM’AntonioArragonBassanioGratianoJessicaLauncelot GobboLorenzoMoroccoNerissaPortiaShylock

‘‘Hath not a Jew eyes?’Hath not a Jew eyes?’ D. M. Cohen argues that the moment paints D. M. Cohen argues that the moment paints

Shylock in an unfavourable light:Shylock in an unfavourable light: ‘‘His speech of wheedling self-exculpation is surely His speech of wheedling self-exculpation is surely

intended to be regarded in the way that beleaguered intended to be regarded in the way that beleaguered tenants today might regard the whine of their tenants today might regard the whine of their wealthy landlord: “Hath not a landlord eyes? Hath wealthy landlord: “Hath not a landlord eyes? Hath not a landlord organs, dimensions, senses, affections, not a landlord organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” Instead of eliciting sympathy for an passions?” Instead of eliciting sympathy for an underdog, Shakespeare intended the speech to elicit underdog, Shakespeare intended the speech to elicit detestation for one in a privileged and powerful detestation for one in a privileged and powerful position who knowingly and deliberately abases position who knowingly and deliberately abases himself in a plea for unmerited sympathy.’ (Cohen himself in a plea for unmerited sympathy.’ (Cohen 1980: 60-1)1980: 60-1)

The question of Anti-The question of Anti-SemitismSemitism

‘‘Is Shylock a money-grubbing usurer Is Shylock a money-grubbing usurer eager to take a knife to Christians, or a eager to take a knife to Christians, or a Lear-like Jew, more sinned against than Lear-like Jew, more sinned against than sinning? How do we reconcile his forced sinning? How do we reconcile his forced conversion – after he has been stripped of conversion – after he has been stripped of his wealth, his work, and his daughter – his wealth, his work, and his daughter – with the play’s comic closure?’ (Shapiro with the play’s comic closure?’ (Shapiro 2007)2007)

Jewish stereotypes: The Jewish stereotypes: The BibleBible

The story of BarabbasThe story of Barabbas ‘‘When Pilate saw that he When Pilate saw that he

could not prevail, but could not prevail, but rather that a tumult was rather that a tumult was beginning, he took water beginning, he took water and washed his hands and washed his hands before the multitude, before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just the blood of this just person. See ye to it.” Then person. See ye to it.” Then answered all the people answered all the people and said, “His blood be on and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children!”’ us, and on our children!”’ Matthew 27: 24-5, Matthew 27: 24-5, King King James BibleJames Bible, 1611, 1611

Barabbas as depicted in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Jewish stereotypes: Jewish stereotypes: UsuryUsury

‘‘If thou lend money to any of my people that is If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.’ usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.’ Exodus 22: 25, Exodus 22: 25, King James BibleKing James Bible, 1611, 1611

‘‘And the Lord spake unto Moses in mount And the Lord spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying … And if thy brother be waxen Sinai, saying … And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then … poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then … take thou no usury of him … but fear thy God; take thou no usury of him … but fear thy God; … thou shalt not give him thy money upon … thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.’ usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.’ Leviticus 25: 35-37, Leviticus 25: 35-37, King James BibleKing James Bible, 1611, 1611

Jewish stereotypes: Jewish stereotypes: GreedGreed

‘‘Their breath stinks with lust for Their breath stinks with lust for the Gentiles’ gold and silver; for no the Gentiles’ gold and silver; for no nation under the sun is greedier nation under the sun is greedier than they were, still are, and than they were, still are, and always will be, as is evident from always will be, as is evident from their accursed usury. … They live their accursed usury. … They live among us, enjoy our shield and among us, enjoy our shield and protection, they use our country protection, they use our country and our highways, our markets and and our highways, our markets and streets. Meanwhile our princes and streets. Meanwhile our princes and rulers… let the Jews, by means of rulers… let the Jews, by means of their usury, skin and fleece them their usury, skin and fleece them and their subjects and make them and their subjects and make them beggars with their own money.’ beggars with their own money.’

Martin Luther, Martin Luther, Von den Juden und Ihre Von den Juden und Ihre LügenLügen ( (About the Jews and Their About the Jews and Their LiesLies),1543),1543

Jewish stereotypes: MurderJewish stereotypes: Murder Saint William of Saint William of

Norwich, 1144Norwich, 1144 Saint Harold of Saint Harold of

Gloucester, 1168Gloucester, 1168 Saint Robert of Bury, Saint Robert of Bury,

11811181 Little Saint Hugh of Little Saint Hugh of

Lincoln, 1255Lincoln, 1255 Geoffrey Chaucer’s Geoffrey Chaucer’s

‘Prioress’s Tale’‘Prioress’s Tale’

Massacre in York, 1190Massacre in York, 1190 York had a small but significant Jewish York had a small but significant Jewish

community.community. Locals in York grew resentful of their wealth.Locals in York grew resentful of their wealth. Following the coronation of Richard I in 1189, a Following the coronation of Richard I in 1189, a

spate of violence against Jews swept across spate of violence against Jews swept across England based on a false rumour that the King England based on a false rumour that the King had authorised the violence.had authorised the violence.

Edict of Expulsion, 1290Edict of Expulsion, 1290 English Jews had to English Jews had to

wear identifying wear identifying yellow badges from yellow badges from 12181218

All Jews were ordered All Jews were ordered to leave England by to leave England by Edward I in 1290Edward I in 1290

Most settled in Spain, Most settled in Spain, Germany, Poland and Germany, Poland and Itlay (Venice, of Itlay (Venice, of course, had its own course, had its own Jewish Ghetto)Jewish Ghetto)

The edict was not The edict was not overturned until 1656overturned until 1656

The Jew of MaltaThe Jew of Malta, c. 1590, c. 1590BARABAS. BARABAS. First, be thou void of these affections:First, be thou void of these affections:

Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear.fear.

Be moved at nothing; see thou pity none,Be moved at nothing; see thou pity none,But to thyself smile when the Christians But to thyself smile when the Christians

moan. …moan. …As for myself, I walk abroad a-nightsAs for myself, I walk abroad a-nightsAnd kill sick people groaning under walls;And kill sick people groaning under walls;Sometimes I go about and poison wells…Sometimes I go about and poison wells…

Roderigo LopezRoderigo Lopez A Portuguese Jew, physician to Elizabeth I, A Portuguese Jew, physician to Elizabeth I,

confessed in 1594 that ‘upon a contract for 50000 confessed in 1594 that ‘upon a contract for 50000 ducats he had promised to poison the Queen’:ducats he had promised to poison the Queen’: ‘‘At the Bar, Lopez spake not much, but cried out … that he At the Bar, Lopez spake not much, but cried out … that he

intended no hurt against the Queen, … and that he had no intended no hurt against the Queen, … and that he had no other meaning but to deceive the Spaniard and wipe him other meaning but to deceive the Spaniard and wipe him of his money.’ of his money.’

‘‘They were all of them condemned, and after three months They were all of them condemned, and after three months put to death at Tyburn, Lopez affirming that he had loved put to death at Tyburn, Lopez affirming that he had loved the Queen as he loved Jesus Christ, which from a man of the Queen as he loved Jesus Christ, which from a man of the Jewish profession was heard not without laughter.’the Jewish profession was heard not without laughter.’

(William Camden, (William Camden, The Historie of the Life and Reigne of The Historie of the Life and Reigne of that Famous Princesse, Elizabeththat Famous Princesse, Elizabeth, 1629. ), 1629. )

Described by his prosecutors as a “vile Jew”Described by his prosecutors as a “vile Jew” Hanged, drawn and quartered on 7 June 1594Hanged, drawn and quartered on 7 June 1594

Shylock as Jewish ‘Other’Shylock as Jewish ‘Other’ Mary Metzger describes Shylock’s first Mary Metzger describes Shylock’s first

appearance as ‘the incarnation of the appearance as ‘the incarnation of the inherently evil Jew of medieval and early inherently evil Jew of medieval and early modern Christian legend’: scheming, greedy, modern Christian legend’: scheming, greedy, satanic, and bloodthirsty (1998: 56).satanic, and bloodthirsty (1998: 56).

SHYLOCK.SHYLOCK. [Aside][Aside] How like a fawning publican he How like a fawning publican he looks!looks!I hate him for he is a Christian,I hate him for he is a Christian,But more for that in low simplicityBut more for that in low simplicityHe lends out money gratis and brings downHe lends out money gratis and brings downThe rate of usance here with us in Venice.The rate of usance here with us in Venice.

Shylock as Jewish ‘Other’Shylock as Jewish ‘Other’SALANIO.SALANIO. I never heard a passion so I never heard a passion so

confused,confused,So strange, outrageous, and so variable,So strange, outrageous, and so variable,As the dog Jew did utter in the streets:As the dog Jew did utter in the streets:‘My daughter! O my ducats! O my ‘My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter!’daughter!’

LANCELOT GOBBO. LANCELOT GOBBO. Certainly the Jew is Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnal…the very devil incarnal…

The trial sceneThe trial scene ‘…‘…arguably the darkest moment in arguably the darkest moment in

Shakespearean comedy’ (Berry Shakespearean comedy’ (Berry 2002: 126).2002: 126).

The Duke calls Shylock ‘an inhuman The Duke calls Shylock ‘an inhuman wretch / Uncapable of pity, void and wretch / Uncapable of pity, void and empty / From any dram of mercy.’empty / From any dram of mercy.’

The trial sceneThe trial scene Berry on Shylock’s conversion: Berry on Shylock’s conversion:

‘‘Although some critics (mercifully few) Although some critics (mercifully few) argue that from an Elizabethan argue that from an Elizabethan perspective forced conversion perspective forced conversion represents genuine mercy, the moment represents genuine mercy, the moment seems intended to shock. By losing his seems intended to shock. By losing his status as “other,” Shylock loses his status as “other,” Shylock loses his sense of self. … Acceptance of the sense of self. … Acceptance of the “other” seems in this case more “other” seems in this case more malicious than ostracism.’ (2002: 126)malicious than ostracism.’ (2002: 126)

Disrupting Shylock’s Disrupting Shylock’s ‘Otherness’‘Otherness’

Portia’s question – ‘Which is the merchant here, Portia’s question – ‘Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?’ – immediately disrupts any and which the Jew?’ – immediately disrupts any stable sense of ‘self’ and ‘other’.stable sense of ‘self’ and ‘other’.

Shylock makes a valid point about the Christian Shylock makes a valid point about the Christian characters’ hypocrisy:characters’ hypocrisy:

SHYLOCK. SHYLOCK. You have among you many a purchased slave,You have among you many a purchased slave,Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules,You use in abject and in slavish parts,You use in abject and in slavish parts,Because you bought them: shall I say to you,Because you bought them: shall I say to you,Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?Let them be free, marry them to your heirs?Why sweat they under burthens? Let their bedsWhy sweat they under burthens? Let their bedsBe made as soft as yours and let their palatesBe made as soft as yours and let their palatesBe season’d with such viands? You will answerBe season’d with such viands? You will answer‘The slaves are ours’: so do I answer you.‘The slaves are ours’: so do I answer you.


‘‘Shylock’s vengefulness marks him as a Jew, an “other” Shylock’s vengefulness marks him as a Jew, an “other” to the Christians, who espouse the doctrine of mercy to the Christians, who espouse the doctrine of mercy that Portia enunciates in the trial scene. Yet as the that Portia enunciates in the trial scene. Yet as the scene unfolds, Shylock’s vengefulness comes to seem scene unfolds, Shylock’s vengefulness comes to seem almost indistinguishable from a Christian charity that almost indistinguishable from a Christian charity that outwits and breaks him.’ (Berry 2002: 131)outwits and breaks him.’ (Berry 2002: 131)

PORTIA.PORTIA. Down therefore, and beg mercy of the duke. Down therefore, and beg mercy of the duke.

‘‘Portia’s eloquent and oft-quoted speech on the “quality Portia’s eloquent and oft-quoted speech on the “quality of mercy” which, in the context of the trial scene… of mercy” which, in the context of the trial scene… urges on Shylock a generosity of behaviour that Portia urges on Shylock a generosity of behaviour that Portia herself will ultimately fail to show toward him.’ (Garber herself will ultimately fail to show toward him.’ (Garber 2004: 283) 2004: 283)


‘…‘…the certainty of the moral superiority of the Christian / the certainty of the moral superiority of the Christian / Catholic over the Jew is eroded … by Shylock’s scathing Catholic over the Jew is eroded … by Shylock’s scathing account of his customary treatment by Antonio’ (O’Rourke account of his customary treatment by Antonio’ (O’Rourke 2003: 377):2003: 377):

SHYLOCK. SHYLOCK. Signior Antonio, many a time and oftSignior Antonio, many a time and oftIn the Rialto you have rated meIn the Rialto you have rated meAbout my moneys and my usances: […]About my moneys and my usances: […]You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,And all for use of that which is mine own.And all for use of that which is mine own.[…][…]

ANTONIO. ANTONIO. I am as like to call thee so again,I am as like to call thee so again,To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.

As Shylock says himself: ‘The villainy you teach me, I will As Shylock says himself: ‘The villainy you teach me, I will execute.’execute.’

Other ‘Others’?Other ‘Others’? ‘‘Given the nature of the dominant ideology and Given the nature of the dominant ideology and

social ethos of Elizabethan England, one is not social ethos of Elizabethan England, one is not surprised to find in Shakespeare’s comedies biases surprised to find in Shakespeare’s comedies biases in favour of aristocratic, male, white, English, in favour of aristocratic, male, white, English, heterosexual Christians. In Elizabethan culture, heterosexual Christians. In Elizabethan culture, such categories define a normative “self”; those who such categories define a normative “self”; those who fall outside them are considered “other”.’ (Berry fall outside them are considered “other”.’ (Berry 2002: 124)2002: 124)

By Berry’s logic, nearly all the characters in By Berry’s logic, nearly all the characters in The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice are ‘othered’ in some are ‘othered’ in some way.way.

The whole play becomes about a system in The whole play becomes about a system in which every character is included somehow, which every character is included somehow, but excluded in another way.but excluded in another way.

Other ‘Others’: ClassOther ‘Others’: Class Antonio as merchant vs. Bassanio as Antonio as merchant vs. Bassanio as

aristocrataristocrat Class ‘bonds’: Class ‘bonds’:

Gratiano to BassanioGratiano to Bassanio Nerissa to PortiaNerissa to Portia Launcelot Gobbo and Old Gobbo to Launcelot Gobbo and Old Gobbo to

ShylockShylock

Other ‘Others’: RaceOther ‘Others’: RaceMOROCCO. MOROCCO. Mislike me not for my complexion,Mislike me not for my complexion,

The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun,The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun,To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.Bring me the fairest creature northward born,Bring me the fairest creature northward born,Where Phoebus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,Where Phoebus’ fire scarce thaws the icicles,And let us make incision for your love,And let us make incision for your love,To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.

PORTIA. PORTIA. A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go.go.Let all of his complexion choose me so. Let all of his complexion choose me so.

Other ‘Others’: GenderOther ‘Others’: GenderPORTIA. PORTIA. …this reasoning is not in the fashion to …this reasoning is not in the fashion to

choose me a husband. O me, the word ‘choose!’ I choose me a husband. O me, the word ‘choose!’ I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. curbed by the will of a dead father.

PORTIA. PORTIA. Myself and what is mine to you and yoursMyself and what is mine to you and yoursIs now converted: but now I was the lordIs now converted: but now I was the lordOf this fair mansion, master of my servants,Of this fair mansion, master of my servants,Queen o’er myself: and even now, but now,Queen o’er myself: and even now, but now,This house, these servants and this same myselfThis house, these servants and this same myselfAre yours, my lord: I give them with this ring.Are yours, my lord: I give them with this ring.

Other ‘Others’: GenderOther ‘Others’: GenderBASSANIO. BASSANIO. Sweet doctor, you shall be my Sweet doctor, you shall be my bed-fellow:bed-fellow:

When I am absent, then lie with my When I am absent, then lie with my wife.wife. All three central female All three central female

characters in the play blur characters in the play blur gender lines by cross-gender lines by cross-dressing at some point.dressing at some point.

Berry argues that a similar Berry argues that a similar disruption of categories of disruption of categories of ‘self’ and ‘other’ is at work:‘self’ and ‘other’ is at work: ‘‘Each of these characters is a Each of these characters is a

shape-shifter, capable of calling shape-shifter, capable of calling into question the very nature of into question the very nature of identity itself.’ (2002: 129) identity itself.’ (2002: 129)

Other ‘Others’: Race, Class, Other ‘Others’: Race, Class, Gender and ReligionGender and Religion

JESSICA. JESSICA. Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo: Nay, you need not fear us, Lorenzo: Launcelot and I are out. He tells me flatly, there is Launcelot and I are out. He tells me flatly, there is no mercy for me in heaven, because I am a Jew’s no mercy for me in heaven, because I am a Jew’s daughter: and he says, you are no good member of daughter: and he says, you are no good member of the commonwealth, for in converting Jews to the commonwealth, for in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of pork.Christians, you raise the price of pork.

LORENZO. LORENZO. I shall answer that better to the I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the negro’s belly: the Moor is with child by you, negro’s belly: the Moor is with child by you, Launcelot.Launcelot.

LAUNCELOT. LAUNCELOT. It is much that the Moor should be It is much that the Moor should be more than reason: but if she be less than an honest more than reason: but if she be less than an honest woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.woman, she is indeed more than I took her for.

Other ‘Others’: Other ‘Others’: HomosexualityHomosexuality

SALARINO. SALARINO. Why, then you are in love.Why, then you are in love.ANTONIO. ANTONIO. Fie, fie!Fie, fie!

ANTONIO.ANTONIO. My purse, my person, my extremest means, My purse, my person, my extremest means,Lie all unlock’d to your occasions.Lie all unlock’d to your occasions.

SALARINO. SALARINO. And even there, his eye being big with And even there, his eye being big with tears,tears,Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,And with affection wondrous sensibleAnd with affection wondrous sensibleHe wrung Bassanio’s hand; and so they parted.He wrung Bassanio’s hand; and so they parted.

SALANIO. SALANIO. I think he only loves the world for him.I think he only loves the world for him.


ANTONIO.ANTONIO. Commend me to your honourable wife, Commend me to your honourable wife, Tell her the process of Antonio’s end, Tell her the process of Antonio’s end, Say how I lov’d you, speak me fair in death: Say how I lov’d you, speak me fair in death: And when the tale is told, bid her be judge And when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love.Whether Bassanio had not once a love.

Antonio promises to pass Shylock’s wealth Antonio promises to pass Shylock’s wealth to Jessica and Lorenzo, not to his own heirs.to Jessica and Lorenzo, not to his own heirs. ‘‘If Antonio is excluded from the good life at the If Antonio is excluded from the good life at the

end of the Merchant, so the gay man is excluded end of the Merchant, so the gay man is excluded from the play’s address. … It is the from the play’s address. … It is the Shakespearean text that is reconfirming the Shakespearean text that is reconfirming the marginalization of an already marginalized marginalization of an already marginalized group.’ (Sinfield 1996: 128) group.’ (Sinfield 1996: 128)


‘‘Antonio hates Shylock not because he is Antonio hates Shylock not because he is a more fervent Christian than others, but a more fervent Christian than others, but because he recognizes his own alter ego because he recognizes his own alter ego in this despised Jew who, because he is a in this despised Jew who, because he is a heretic, can never belong to the state. … heretic, can never belong to the state. … He hates himself in Shylock: the He hates himself in Shylock: the homosexual self that Antonio has come to homosexual self that Antonio has come to identify symbolically as the Jew.’ identify symbolically as the Jew.’ (Kleinberg 1985: 120)(Kleinberg 1985: 120)

Other ‘Others’ – a final Other ‘Others’ – a final observationobservation

‘‘Not only were there no Jewish Not only were there no Jewish moneylenders in London in 1594, moneylenders in London in 1594, but the hated foreign usurers in but the hated foreign usurers in London in the 1590s were mostly London in the 1590s were mostly Italians’ (O’Rourke 2003: 376).Italians’ (O’Rourke 2003: 376).

ReferencesReferences Berry, Edward (2002) ‘Laughing at “Others”’, Berry, Edward (2002) ‘Laughing at “Others”’,

in Leggatt, A. [ed.] in Leggatt, A. [ed.] The Cambridge The Cambridge Companion to Shakespearean ComedCompanion to Shakespearean Comedy, y, Cambridge: C.U.P., 123-38.Cambridge: C.U.P., 123-38.

Cohen, D. M. (1980) ‘The Jew and Shylock’, Cohen, D. M. (1980) ‘The Jew and Shylock’, Shakespeare QuarterlyShakespeare Quarterly, 31: 1, 53-63., 31: 1, 53-63.

Garber, Marjorie (2004) Garber, Marjorie (2004) Shakespeare After Shakespeare After AllAll, New York: Pantheon Books., New York: Pantheon Books.

Kleinberg, Seymour (1985) ‘Kleinberg, Seymour (1985) ‘The Merchant of The Merchant of VeniceVenice: The Homosexual as Anti-Semite in : The Homosexual as Anti-Semite in Nascent Capitalism’ in Kellog, S. [ed.] Nascent Capitalism’ in Kellog, S. [ed.] Literary Visions of HomosexualityLiterary Visions of Homosexuality, New York: , New York: The Haworth Press.The Haworth Press.

ReferencesReferences Metzger, Mary Janell (1998) ‘“Now by My Hood, Metzger, Mary Janell (1998) ‘“Now by My Hood,

a Gentle and No Jew”: Jessica, a Gentle and No Jew”: Jessica, The Merchant of The Merchant of VeniceVenice, and the Discourse of Early Modern , and the Discourse of Early Modern English Identity’, English Identity’, PMLAPMLA, 113: 1, 52-63., 113: 1, 52-63.

O’Rourke, James (2003) ‘Racism and O’Rourke, James (2003) ‘Racism and Homophobia in Homophobia in The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice’, ’, ELHELH, , 70: 2, 375-397.70: 2, 375-397.

Shapiro, James (2007) ‘The Villainy You Teach Shapiro, James (2007) ‘The Villainy You Teach Me’, Me’, Financial TimesFinancial Times, January 12., January 12.

Sinfield, Alan (1996) ‘How to Read Sinfield, Alan (1996) ‘How to Read The The Merchant of VeniceMerchant of Venice without being Heterosexist’, without being Heterosexist’, in Terence Hawkes [ed.] in Terence Hawkes [ed.] Alternative Alternative Shakespeares 2Shakespeares 2, London: Routledge, 122-39., London: Routledge, 122-39.

Documents

‘Which is the Merchant here, and which the Jew?’