The Merchant of Venice: Context (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Context should inform, but should never dominate, your reading of the test. Any comments on contextual factors must always be linked to the ideas in the play. When exploring the context in which The Merchant of Venice was written, you should consider: 

• the contexts in which the text is set
• the contexts in which the text is received
• and its literary context (genre)

Each of the below topics links directly to Shakespeare’s ideas in The Merchant of Venice:

• Prejudice and Intolerance
• Love and Friendship
• Power and Wealth

Prejudice and Intolerance

• Jews were banned in England from 1290 until the mid-1500s and the minority that were in England in Elizabethan times, were barely tolerated:
  • This is evidenced in The Merchant of Venice where the Christian characters demonise demonise Jews:
    • For example, Antonio does not deny insulting and spitting on Shylock
• Despite being involved in various trades, Jews were renowned for their occupation as usurers, lending money at interest rates:
  • As a despised practice among the Elizabethans, Shakespeare's audiences would have also scorned Shylock as an unconverted and alien Jew
• Shylock's downfall in Shakespeare's play would have been met with different responses depending on the audience:
  • In Elizabethan England, people seeking cultural homogeneity would have found solace in observing the coerced conversion of Shylock
  • Those who were of the opinion that non-Christians would suffer eternal damnation would have viewed it as a favourable result
• During the Elizabethan era, there was a prevalent belief that Jews had animosity towards Christians and would resort to any means necessary to harm them:
  • Furthermore, it was considered inconceivable for a Jew to retaliate against their persecutors, which is the exact course of action taken by Shylock
  • Consequently, it was not uncommon for Renaissance comedy to feature a Jewish character as the primary antagonist
• Nevertheless, it could be viewed that Shylock's portrayal is less stereotypical than typical for the time of Shakespeare
• At the time, Venice was a commercial port and one of the richest trading cities in the world:
  • Trade would have been an essential aspect of Venice's economy and it would have been imperative to provide equal protections to merchants of all religions and nationalities:
    • However, prejudice and intolerance would have been common
    • For example, the Prince of Morocco expects to be met by Portia with a negative response to his skin colour and declares: “Mislike me not for my complexion”

Love and Friendship

• In viewing the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio, it is important to consider the convention of sentimental friendships between men during the Renaissance period
• In 16th century England, platonic, passionate friendships between men were a commonality which is evidenced in the relationship between Bassanio and Antonio:
• Antonio’s help in Bassanio’s pursuit for Portia’s love is his way of showing love for his friend
• Marriages in the Elizabethan era, especially among the aristocracy – but also extending to the middle and lower classes – were frequently organised between families:
• This was done to benefit both parties and marriage was highly influenced by factors such as money, status and alliances
• Women had no influence over who they were to marry and were obliged to comply with their parents' (particularly fathers') decision:
• This is evidenced through Portia who is unable to choose her own husband and who must comply with her father’s will
• However, as Europe moved towards modernisation, there arose a new ideal of marriages based on mutual attraction and love:
• Therefore, traditions surrounding courtship and marriage went through substantial changes
• In Venetian culture, paternal authority was held in high regard and was considered to be sacred:
• Any resistance or rebellion against it ran the risk of facing severe consequences, including the possibility of death, although typically such a severe punishment was not carried out
• Sons who disobeyed their fathers were typically disowned or sent into exile, whereas daughters were often locked up or sent to convents
• Therefore, Jessica’s conduct would have been perceived as one of the worst things to happen to an orthodox Jewish community:
• Shylock's declaration that he would rather see Jessica dead, along with the stolen ducats, is plausible and reflects this perspective

Power and Wealth

• For centuries, wealth was predominantly held by landowners and the aristocracy
• Venice was a city driven by trade and commerce:
  • Its opulence was founded on business, legal and financial matters rather than inherited wealth or noble status
• The Merchant of Venice was written during a period in which a new group of merchants and business people were on the rise:
  • Shakespeare's use of Portia's predicament with her suitors enables Shakespeare to mock the aristocrats of varying nations for the entertainment of his Elizabethan audience
• Due to the social conventions of courtship during this period, Bassanio needs wealth in order to pursue Portia
• Lending money with the intention of profiting from it was considered to be against Christian religious beliefs
• In England, borrowing money to finance ventures was made legal, although it still carried a negative connotation as it was traditionally done through Jewish lenders:
  • Shylock, a character who values his wealth over his own daughter, Jessica, would have been viewed unfavourably by Shakespearean audiences
• Shylock's fixation on his home, jewellery, finances, and assets reveal his status as an outsider to Venetian society, which is further emphasised by the legal principles Portia speaks about
• However, as an audience, it is important to have an understanding of the reasons why money held such significance to Shylock:
  • Shylock views usury as a means of maintaining his financial stability