What thoughts and emotions are displayed in Act 1 scene 3 and how does the audience react to them?

The Merchant of Venice

“What thoughts and emotions are displayed in Act 1 scene 3 and how does the audience react to them?


William Shakespeare wrote the Merchant of Venice in the 17th Century. The story has a number of major plots, all of which set in the Christian city of Venice, Italy. At the time the city was a key trading post for Europe and the world, because of this Venice was rich and affluent. Shylock, the character I will base this essay on, is a Jew. Today Jews, along with countless other cults or religions live freely with little prejudice show to them. However, the play is set in a time where Christianity was the only tolerated religion and where Jews were discriminated against, which strongly influences all the characters’ behaviour and actions. This is reflected in a hierarchical society, which is made clear in the text, the character list at the beginning of the play shows where characters are in terms of relations and status. The Duke of Venice is at the top...