Subject: Re: Words, words, words
From: Matt Kozusko (mkozusko@parallel.park.uga.edu)
Date: Mon Jan 24 2000 - 00:01:10 EST
AntiUtopia@aol.com wrote:
> Now, back to our topic, the scandal of being Jewish in Merchant didn't have
> to do with attending synagogue or keeping kosher, but with being a Merchant.
> Not race, but economics...
"Neither race nor religion," you would say, "but economics." But
clearly, the scandal of being Jewish is only part economics. It is also
partly religious:
"I hate him for he is a Christian:
But more, for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis, and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice.
If I can catch him once upon the hip
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails
(Even there where merchants most do congregate)
On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest: cursed be my tribe
If I forgive him!"
It is certain that Shylock's hatred for Antonio is in large part a
matter of economics ("and brings down / The rate of usance here with us
in Venice"), but what of "I hate him for he is a Christian"? What of
"ancient grudge"? The two points of contention, religion and economics,
are quite (dear, dear God!) commingled in this Shylock. Why, then,
might not the case not be the same when it comes to hating Shylock?
Antonio rails on Shylock, his bargains and his well-won thrift, but
Antonio aso "hates [his] sacred nation." Economics and religion cannot
easily be separated in the play. Each faction's hatred for the other is
driven by both issues.
"Loan" still is not a verb,
-- Matt Kozusko mkozusko@parallel.park.uga.edu - * Unsubscribing? Mail majordomo@roughdraft.org with the message * UNSUBSCRIBE BANANAFISH
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