/ my prayer, for herehe comes in the likeness of a Jew" (III, i, 19-20). This constant demonization of Shylock by Shakespeare affirms the anti-Semeticviews voiced through Shakespeares words in The Merchant of Venice. This is not meantto say that these were the views held true by Shakespeare. He was only a playwright, whocatered to the mass audience. Thus, these views in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venicewere the perception of the Elizabethan people about the Jewish. His words, depiction ofShylock's character, and plot only supported those popular stereotypes of the Elizabethantime. It makes good sense that the cultural hostility towards the Jewish would infiltrateShakespeares writing, leaving written documentation of the anti-Semitic attitudes of theElizabethan era....
