Free Merchant of Venice Essays: Secular and Religious Views :: Merchant Venice Essays

Merchant of Venice - Secular and Religious Views   The secular and religious views of both, Antonio and Shylock, were portrayed very bluntly. The religious opinions of both characters were that their religion was superior to infidels and overly very stereotypical. In the business world, Antonio owned ships with valuable goods and was extremely generous. He always relied on their return to shore and expressed his faith in this book. On the new(prenominal) hand, Shylock was a greedy man and used the Bible for sources of interest to collect more money. Relating to religious views Antonio and Shylock were very parallel, but in means of business the two were reverses. "IShylock hate Antonio for he is a Christian. . . Antonio hates our sacred nation." This phrase said by Shylock, a Jew, is based on the beliefs of other Jews upon other Christians. Shylock is being very stereotypical because Shylock doesnt really know Antonio, Shylock heard of Jew-hating Christians, s o he thinks that all Christians hate Jews. Antonio happens to be a great man and Shylock didnt even give him a chance, he just hates Antonio for being of different religion. "The HebrewShylock leave alone turn Christian he grows kind." Antonio says this, idea that no Jews are kind, emphasizing naiveness. Then Antonio sees the Hebrew, Shylock, becomes amiable, so he believes thats impossible. So Antonio interprets the scenario as Shylock being Christianized, because he is becoming generous. This quotation shows how Antonio thinks that his religion, Christianity, is superior to Judaism. The old quotation illustrated how Shylock was stereotypical about Christians. Both characters have similar beliefs about other religions. "Why, fear not, man, I will not for felt it within these three months- thats a month before this bond expires-I do expect, return of thrice three times the value of this bond." This phrase was said by Antonio assure Shylock that his ship wit h all his goods will return with the interest that Antonio owes Shylock for borrowing money. This shows Antonios trust in his ship even though there were potent winds and high chances that his ship will be overturned. Antonio is very naive about the real world of business and no matter what happens he thinks he will be successful. On the other hand, Shylock is a wise business man, but very greedy.