Many people throughout history and even today get discriminated against because of their beliefs. People who have different beliefs are prosecuted because other feel their beliefs are not right. For example Jewish people have been treated unjustly in history. A major event that proves this is the holocaust, which was a huge genocide targeted towards Jewish people. In both plays The Merchant of Venice and Inherit The Wind the characters Shylock and Bertram Cates were ridiculed because of their beliefs. These characters withstood poor treatment in society, lacked rights and went through unfair trials. Shylock was mistreated throughout The Merchant of Venice, since the play took place in the 16th century many people looked down on him for being Jewish. Shylock’s job was to be a moneylender. He would give loans to others and they would pay him back the money they owed. This job was disliked by many citizens because money lenders typically wanted to steal your money. Shylock was also mistreated because he was Jewish. “Certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnation;” (2.2.26-27). This is a quote from Lancelot voicing his hate for Shylock. This quote also displays the way …show more content…
Cates was a teacher who taught students evolution. In Hillsboro they believed in the theory of creation since they were so strong in their religion. They treated Cates differently than others because of his views. Simply because he had different views than the town had he had been poorly treated in society. In the 1900’s when this play took place, believing in evolution was illegal which was why Cates was looked at so differently. “People look at me as if I were a murderer. Worse than a murderer!” (Lawrence and Lee 50). This quote shows how strongly the town had not like Cates because of his beliefs. The town was not very pleased with his beliefs so he was brought to
Ethan Nichols The In the novel Night, by Elie Weisel, There’s a fine line between being human and just surviving. THe holocaust is the main reason this line has faded. Elie does everything in his power to keep himself, and his family alive. Elie’s struggle owes to his shaken faith not only in God but in everything around him.
He decides to read a piece of poetry to Mildred and her friends, Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps, knowing they are conformists. Although he knows they probably will not support reading, he takes the risk. His rash character causes him to not think about the possible consequences of reading to these ladies. After the burning of the woman, he faces the dilemma of his love and hate for his job. His bravery and
Bertram Cates is not a typical criminal. He is quiet and reserved and doesn’t to want to cause trouble or conflict. He is merely standing up for what he believes in and is doing his best to teach his students that there is more to the world than what the Bible states. He is viewed as unchristian and toxic by the locals. Both Drummond and Cates experience a struggle against mainstream society. Cates doesn’t try to stand up for himself too much, he actually is quite dependant on Drummond for support and direction. In the end, Cates is ironically more forgiving than his Christian counterparts. Cates’ role in the film is quite small in
Any difference or deviation is frowned upon in the most serious manner. Mrs Lee's comment about hot water baths is that she cannot clean herself, cannot "make a strong suds" (page 54), so she pretends to conform. There is no tolerance for the traditional ways or for non-conformists. This disharmony within society is a greater division for Cather; it is a division between those who can only think within the constraints of the past and the present; there is no evidence of a hunger for progress, only for the rapid accumulation of wealth (as demonstrated by Lou's eagerness to sell out to Charlie Fuller.) Randall quotes Cather herself in this: "A pioneer should have imagination, should be able to enjoy the idea of things more than the things themselves." Only this second category of people are those who 'own' the land. Cather is making a case in this novel (and subsequently in the similarly themed My Antonia that the former sort of people are
Date: Pg. #: Role: Quote: Response: 1/22/16 7 Bystander The Jews of Sighet “But people not only refused to believe his tales, they refused to listen... Others flatly said he had gone mad.”
As socrates said once “From the deepest desires often come the deepest hate”. The holocaust was a way that the Nazis saying thats revenge.Some people just see racism, prejudge, and antisemitism and don't do anything. Some people try and stand up for people and protect one another. Try and stand up for everyone in your community. The Nazis plotted their revenge for a long period of time. This was one of the most tragic events in all of the world and history
As I’ve read the book I have brought my attention that both my character and that of Bert Cates is similar with some differing aspects. As previously stated, Bertram Cates is frightened, quiet, and perhaps oblivious to what he has done. He’s said to be innocent due to the fact that his character isn’t rude or judgmental. Unlike the rest of the townspeople who seem to be patronized, Cates is affected by the negligent behavior of the townspeople. Cates is a pale and thin man that teaches a sophomore science class.
In ‘The Merchant of Venice’ Shylock is very strong minded and is singled out of the play because he is a mean Jew that charges interest. Shylock is very stubborn and determined to keep to his bond; a pound of flesh of Antonio.
Shakespeare engages a modern audience through the character Shylock. Shylock in The Merchant of Venice is the antagonist of the play and is subject to sequences of misfortune, much to the delight of the Elizabethan audience. However, in a modern context we show slight feelings of sympathy towards him as a result of today’s ideologies. Upon meeting Shylock we see that his religious standing puts him in an isolated position against the Venetian society. A line is recited
Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, there is a strong theme of prejudice. Portia has to deal with prejudice against her sex, the Prince of Morocco has to deal with prejudice against his race but the character that is most discriminated against is Shylock. He is hated for being a Jew and a money-lender, but Shakespeare has not made Shylock a character easy to sympathise with. He appears to be mean and cruel and it seems as though he loves money above all things. However during the play there are moments when Shakespeare gives Shylock speeches which show his humanity. In these moments, the audience is made to feel sorry
The Merchant of Venice features a Jewish character that is abused and slandered by nearly every character in the play. Throughout the play the behavior of these characters seems justified. In this way, The Merchant of Venice appears to be an anti-Semitic play. However, The Merchant of Venice contains several key instances, which can be portrayed in a way that criticizes anti-Semitism. The first instance occurs in Act 1, scene 3 when the audience realizes that Shylock has every right to be extremely angry with Antonio. The second instance occurs when Shylock breaks out of his one-dimensional character form in Act 3, scene 1 in an extremely powerful speech that attacks the
Shylock can be seen as a victim of anti-Semitism and discrimination. He has long suffered at the hands of the Christians, who seize any opportunity to torment him. Shylock has been spat upon merely because he is Jewish and has been called nasty names such as "cutthroat dog". This dehumanising language demonstrates how poorly the Christian society views Jews as being outsiders and filthy people who do not belong to the world. Shylock has also been called ‘Jew’ twenty-two times and ‘Shylock’ only six times in the play. Shakespeare helped maintain the anti-Semitic meanings of the term
The victimization of Shylock for being a Jew makes the reader sympathize with him and for the fact that he is Jewish. It lends an understanding as to how Shylock cultivated a hate for Christians and his justification in doing so. In contrast, Shakespeare makes no mention of Shylock’s past and uses his Judaism as the sole means for his distinctive torment of Antonio.
Shakespeare criticizes society’s output on Judaism through his play with the characters Shylock and Jessica. Shylock and Jessica are seen as outsiders in Venice and are discriminated by the Christian characters in the play for being Jewish. For instance, Gratiano describes Jessica, a former Jew, as an "infidel "(III.ii.223) despite converting and marrying a Christian. By calling Jessica an “infidel”, Gratiano is implying that she isn’t a true Christian and is still a Jew. Later in the play, Jessica is also told there’s "no mercy in heaven.."(III.v.31) because she was Jewish. This statement evokes the idea all Jews are sinful and can’t enter heaven. The two examples above show how Jews are seen as inferior to Christians in the play. Because of this bigotry, Shylock is vengeful toward Antonio with his bond. When he finds out about Antonio’s lost ships, he exclaims: I'll plague him, I'll torture him. I am glad of it." (III.i.115-116). This line demonstrates the stereotypical image of Jews that Christians see. What Shylock says relates to the 16th century where Christians often believed that Jews used their blood in religious ceremonies. By saying he’ll “torture” and “plague” Antonio, Shylock is conforming with the negative image society has of him. However, Shakespeare also paints Shylock as a human character treated unfairly by the Christians in Venice. After finding out that his daughter Jessica eloped to a Christian man, Shylock delivers a powerful speech about Jews being equals: “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 [...]as a Christian is?” (III.i.48-54). This speech presents to the audience that Shylock is human
In the play the ‘Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare the antagonist Shylock is both the victim and the villain. Shylock is a Jewish moneylender and is initially portrayed as anger filled and bloodthirsty but as the play continues we begin to see him as more human and his emotions become more evident. As the antagonist, Shylock is a fearful adversary to Antonio, the protagonist. But as good begins to win over evil, Shylock is crushed and we see evidence of his mortality in his grief. Shylock changes significantly though out the course of the play and he is formed into a too complex character to be labeled just victim or villain.