Discussion Of How The Play ‘the Merchant Of Venice’ Would Have Differed If It Was Written In The Victorian Era
The play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ was written by William Shakespeare in the 16th century, during the Elizabethan times. Various scenes in the play will show how it would have differed if written in the Victorian era. Theatre began during the Elizabethan era, hence why scenes that were performed in the plays were not seem as unusually and were purely for entertainment. However, now, one may consider them to be rude and offensive towards some social classes such as Jews. During the Elizabethan era, Jews were seem as outcasts and were not allowed to practice their religion and they were shamed for this and as to how they chose to live their lives. Jews would often have to practice in secret, as not to be discovered. Not many jobs were available for them; most of them were forced into money lending, this is because Christians believed that this profession was a sin. Unlike the Elizabethan era, Jews were prominent in the Victorian era. Many Jews came out of hiding and were allowed to practice their religion without being mocked. Jews were also allowed to have other jobs aside from money lending.
Shakespeare wrote his plays with an Elizabethan audience in mind, hence this is why many, during this time, found humor in the negative comments about the Jews. However for an audience in the Victorian era, these jokes would have been seen as very offensive, discriminatory and disrespectful towards Jews and their faith. The Roman Catholic and Protestant religion were the two dominant religions during the Elizabethan period. The reason for their co-existence was because these were the two religions that were preferred by the reigning King or Queen. The Roman Catholic religion was practiced first, however many questioned it and hence the Protestant religion was started.
One was expected to follow either one of these two religions. Inability to do so was considered a sin and persons were charged by law of the Queen. As a result of this, many people would have to practice their own religion in the privacy of their homes. Much like the Jews had to do in the play. At this time, audience members watching the play would have been either one of the major religions. Thus making them immune to the derogatory comments made towards Judaism, the other religion mentioned in the play. Shakespeare portrays this other religion as a sin and unethical and the audience is in agreement with him because this was the norm and the practice of the lifestyle during these times.
Like the Elizabethan era, Christianity overtopped the other religions in the Victorian period. Judaism was the only non - Christian religion, which was practiced. Jews were free to practice and worship in their religion as they saw fit. Other denominations such as Methodists, Baptists and Quakers began rising during this period as well. Not many audience members would have reacted negatively to the dominance of the Roman Catholic Religion in the play because it was still a superior Christian religion in the 19th century. During the 16th century, men were given more privileges than women. Women were expected to give their husbands themselves and their possessions. Women were usually home schooled depending on their social status. However, higher levels of education were not allowed which earned most women the title of “uneducated”.
Shakespeare can be seen portraying the theme of sexism in his play. An example of this is when Portia and Nerissa had to dress up as men in order to be accepted as lawyers. They did this, so they could help their husbands win the court trial against Shylock. Their disguises were needed because during this time women had no liberties and they were often ignored, mostly because they were said to be uneducated and they were also not allowed to enter into high profile and prestigious professions such as the law. The men had the say in every aspect of life. Portia and Nerissa knew that they would have a better chance of getting into the trial by disguising themselves as men. The trial proved to be a success because of Portia and Nerissa.
Another example of women adopting the role of men surreptitiously can be seen when Jessica also had to dress up as a man in order to sneak out of her house. She did this to escape from her father, Shylock. The disguise was necessary because no one would have suspected anything, however if Jessica left as herself, a woman, she would not have been successful with her escape. During this era, women obeying their husbands and falling under the command of a male was nothing uncommon. Hence this is the reason why the audience found the play amusing or at least, the men felt this way. Much like the Elizabethan era, Victorian women were not allowed to have a semblance of an education either. Most women were home schooled and their values were focused on the up bringing of their children and performing household duties and maintaining a household. They were also seen as inferior to the opposite sex.
On the other hand, a person reading this play in the 21st century may find the role of women in these eras a bit strange. This is because both of those periods were ruled by women, however they were still seen as inferior to men. However, due to the evolution of feminist groups, this play would have been seen today in society as very offensive, discriminating and prejudicial to the role and value of women. William Shakespeare made it clear in his play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ that he wrote it so it could be related back towards his audience, in the 16th century. Whether it is by the discrimination of Jews and the mockery of their religion or by the inferiority of women in society. Although the play was written for an Elizabethan audience, a Victorian audience can relate with them on certain, if not several aspects of the play.
Bibliography
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan era [Accessed 1st May 2019]
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era [Accessed 1st May 2019]
- https://www.cram.com/essay/treatment-of-jews-in-the-16th-century/FKJQ6L2SC [Accessed 1st May 2019]
- http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/religion-elizabethan-england.htm [Accessed 1st May 2019]
- http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/religion-elizabethan-england.htm [Accessed 1st May 2019]
- http://victorian-era.org/comparison-of-roles-of-elizabethan-and-victorian-todays-women.html [Accessed 1st May 2019]
- http://victorian-era.org/comparison-of-roles-of-elizabethan-and-victorian-todays-women.html [Accessed 1st May 2019]
- Cowen, Anne and Cowen, Roger, Victorian Jews Through British Eyes -Published 1986
- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice – Written in 16th century
