Shylock

The word anti-Semitism came into general use in the past century and it means all forms of hatred directed towards Jews throughout history. The word comes from the Greek words "anti", meaning against and "Semite", meaning a descendant of Shem. Wilhelm Marr, a German agitator, who created it to explain the current anti-Jewish campaigns in Europe, first used the word in 1879, although anti-Semitism existed long before then. During the Elizabethan period in England there was lots of hostility towards Jews and it shows up in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. There is more to be gained from reading The Merchant of Venice than just anti-Semitic propaganda.
The main presence of anti-Semitism in the play is seen in the character Shylock, a money lending Jew. Several characteristics of Shylock’s stereotypically meant he was an untrustworthy, bad person in the Elizabethan times. Usury is the lending of money at interest. When first introduced Shylock’s status as a usurer is made...