Alienage Issues in the Merchant of Venice

Abstract

The Merchant of Venice is the most prominent work in terms of presenting foreign characters, different religions and groups in World Literature. Shylock is a tax evasion Jew who hates Antonio who lends money without interests. So, Antonio is an obstacle for Shylock, as Antonio makes Shylock lose in his trade. Shylock keeps an eye on Antonio’s actions to catch a false step so that he "can catch him" "upon the hip" (1.3.42). The utterance “Cursed be my tribe, if I forgive him!” (1.3.47-48) shows the inhumanity in Shylock who tries to gain some power to take his revenge. One of the reasons for his revenge is that Antonio “hates” the sacred nation of the Jews. The aim of current article is to discuss such legal issues as alien, law of residents and foreigners in Venice during 16th century and make a comparative analysis on the basis of The Merchant of Venice.