A Comparative Study On "New" And "Old" Social Significance Of The Merchant Of Venice

This paper researches the social significance of William Shakespeare's notable play The Merchant of Venice from the perspectives of both Shakespeare's times and modern times.The paper, from two different historical periods, analyzes the "new" and "old" social significance of The Merchant of Venice. Through comparing the differences between the two parts, the "new" social significance of The Merchant of Venice that the paper believes becomes obvious. The paper considers that the "new" social significance of The Merchant of Venice is to unmask unreasoning prejudice against the Jews and to satirize the Christians' hypocrisy.In Chapter One, the paper states the features of the society in Shakespeare's times. The part emphasizes that the dominant position of the Christians and the marginalized position of the Jews are the social features of Shakespeare's times, and the Christians oppressed the Jews for a long time. The paper also reveals the prevailing anti-semitism of that times.In Chapter Two, the paper discusses the "old" social significance of this play in Shakespeare's times. First, the paper exposes the insatiable greed and brutality of Shylock. The ugly image of Shylock is clearly reflected in the chapter. For the sake of money and hatred, he can even lose human nature and sense. Second, the paper glorifies the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio. Antonio can sacrifice his own life in order to help his friend Bassnio. Likewise, Bassanio will also give anything for saving Antonio. Finally, the paper sets forth Portia of great beauty, wit and loyalty. Apparently, Portia is the perfect representative of Christian women.In Chapter Three, the paper is concerned with the social changes in modern times. This section deals with Jewish Emancipation with social changes and Jewish History in Germany. With the development of the society and conceptual change of the people, the Jews gradually gain racial equality.In Chapter Four, the paper discusses the "new" social significance of this play in modern times. First, the paper dissertates unreasoning prejudice against the Jews. By anatomizing the character of Shylock, the paper believes that Shylock suffers from unfair treatment owing to his identity and his animosity is the instinctive reaction towards his experience. Second, the paper discourses upon the Christians' hypocrisy. For the treating of the point, the paper expatiates on Christians' false standards of friendship and love, and their so-called mercy. The paper believes that the real evil in this play is the corrupt moral and ethical value system of the Christian.The paper considers that we may look beyond the past point of view to find the social significance of The Merchant of Venice from the 21th century standpoint, to unmask unreasoning prejudice against the Jews and to satirize the Christians' hypocrisy, with the right attitude to analyze the Christian and Jewish characters in this play. After hundreds of years, a new social significance of The Merchant of Venice will come into the world. So The Merchant of Venice is quite an extraordinary play.