Anti-Semitism and the desecration of the Jewish population have been in existence for nearly five thousand years. In William Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice”, we find that one of the characters is the subject and expression of anti-Semitic attitude that is persistent in Elizabethan society.

William Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice” contains many examples that insult Jewish heritage because they were the minority in London in Shakespearean time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times, Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of London's population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living there. Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice” supports anti-Semitism actions and thoughts and therefore proves that Shakespeare was an anti-Semite. Antonio and Shylock, two similar businessmen of Venice, are viewed differently and are treated oppositely because Shylock is not a Christian but a Jew. One example of this is the way Launcelot treats Shylock in Act 2.

In act 2, Launcelot is debating with himself whether or not he should seek a new master. Launcelot's problem is that he works for Shylock, who is Jewish. Launcelot persuades himself that, "Certainly the Jew [Shylock] is the very devil incarnation." Eventually, Launcelot convinces himself that he would much rather run away than be ruled by a Jew. Launcelot presents this argument to his father: "I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer." Before Launcelot accepts a new job with Bassanio as his master, he is reminded that Bassanio is much poorer than Shylock. His reply to Bassanio was, "You have the grace of God, sir, and he [Shylock] hath enough."

Lorenzo also insults Shylock behind his back when he tells Jessica that if Shylock ever makes it to heaven, it is only because Jessica converted to Christianity. Jessica represents a Jew who, through renouncing Judaism and becoming Christian, becomes a better person. Contrarily, Shylock plays a Jew who, though showing compassion in small amounts, remains barbaric and primitive until forced to forsake his religion by the compassionate Christian, Antonio. Throughout the play, the usurer demonstrates at least three of the seven deadly sins. These sins, anger, gluttony, and greed, are attributed to his Jewish background . Most prominent is greed, demonstrated when Shylock claims, "I did dream of money-bags." Also obvious is anger, illustrated by Shylock's demand that a pound of flesh be taken from Antonio's body, and his refusal to show any compassion. Finally, the Jew displays gluttony through said refusal: he does not require the flesh to live, or even the money to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, but demands it out of want for more material goods and revenge.

Ironically, the scene in which Shylock pleads his case against Antonio is full of vices demonstrated by Christians, while the Jew is the one who receives most of the humiliation and insults. The primary fault in the first scene of Act 4 is that the "judge" is really Portia, lying to each character present by claiming to be a law giver. Moreover, the treatment of Shylock throughout the trial is unfair. From its commencement, Portia is biased against him, not only because she is engaged to Bassanio, who is friends with Antonio, but because Shylock is a Jew. Portia's first question upon entering is, "Which is the merchant here, and which is the Jew?" Immediately, the usurer is identified as being a second-class citizen, identified not by occupation, but by religion. This trend continues throughout the trial, with remarks such as, "Then must the Jew be merciful," and "Why doth the Jew pause?" . In contrast, Antonio is treated with respect by the court while Shylock with disrespect. The trial ends with Shylock, manipulated to become the defendant, at the mercy of Antonio. Portia, though not a judge and from a foreign land, claims to know the law of Venice well. Portia declare, "Though has contrived against the very life of the defendant...beg mercy of the duke" . Each individual present is under the assumption that she is a judge, and therefore does not question her decoration. However, her very statement is biased. First, she says that, "...If it be proved against an alien..." when Shylock is a citizen of Venice; either Shylock is considered an alien because of his religion, or is being unjustly treated. Moreover, Portia gives Shylock no opportunity to defend himself against the charges, and uses the previous hearing over usury to determine his guilt. This grave manipulation of law makes it clear that it was never the intention of the "judge" to deliver justice, but instead to punish Shylock.

The anti-semitism expressed in The Merchant of Venice is typical of the time period in which the play was written. The history of Jews in England is bleak and full of oppression and hatred.Shakespeare had probably never met a Jew because Jews had been expelled three and one-half centuries before he lived. Consequently, it is likely that the stereotypes presented throughout the satire are developed from second-hand knowledge about Judaism and propaganda developed to maintain a hatred of Jews in England, and not from any direct interaction with Jewish people.

Though the play appears to be anti-semitic in nature, Shakespeare clearly intends his work to be a satire against the hatred of Jews, and to encourage the toleration of Semitic people. He uses Shylock's speech in Scene 1 of Act 3 to show the humanity of Jews while maintaining an anti-semitic slant, as would be required by the political system of that time period. Shylock declares that,
I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?

Shakespeare, in order to maintain a sense of conformity with the anti-semitic views of the time period, must use remarks of equality sparingly, and always include accompanying talk of revenge or hatred. However, the majority of this speech calls for equality, and Shakespeare presents elementary yet persuasive arguments.

Another example of Shakespeare's message of tolerance appears when Shylock is defending his actions to the Duke. His defense is used as a medium by the play-write to show the faults in Christian society and the similarities Jews have with Christians. Upon being asked if he expects mercy, Shylock replies:
What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? // You have among you as many a purchased slave, // Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, // You use in abject and in slavish parts, // Because you bought them: shall I say to you, // let them be free, marry them to your heirs?...You will answer // "The slaves are ours."

The trial itself is also a prominent part of the satire, showing that Christians, though claiming to be superior and more godly than Jews, are manipulative, lying, and untrustworthy. As a result of Shylock's unfair treatment, the audience feels compassionate for him by the end of the play. Clearly, Shylock is a character towards whom a reader will feel sympathy. Shakespeare intentionally creates this pity in order to decrease hatred towards Jews and increase understanding and love.