Does Religion Inspire Love or Hate?

      I have asked myself this question many times. Sitting in church, it has been reiterated over and over again to "love thy God, love thyself, and love thy neighbor". Jewish rabbis similarly teach about the love and power of Adonai. It seems that the basis of every religion is to honor their God(s) and to promote honesty and love in the world. These logical and moral concepts are the glue of every religion, so then why is there conflict? What makes one religion superior to another?

     Even though Shakespeare lived over 400 years ago, his works of literature capture the depth of difference of religion. In his play, The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare illustrates the religious conflict between two of the story's main characters: Antonio and Shylock.  Their contrasting opinion of money lending is only heightened by their difference of religion. Antonio and his Christian friends look down upon the greedy Jew, Shylock. They spit on him, step on his beard, and compare him to a dog. He takes their insults, but it only builds the hatred he feels for them. In the 1500s, Jews were a minority in Italy, and therefore we rarely see Shylock with other Jewish friends to protect him against the wrath of Antonio and his followers.
    The feelings of rage boil over inside Shylock, and he gladly takes advantage of the contract he created with Antonio. As the time nears closer and closer for Shylock to get his revenge, others around him are relentlessly pressuring him to have mercy. "What, wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?" (4.1.70), replies Shylock. By comparing Antonio to a serpent, the reader can see how Shylock feels about Antonio. As seen in the Garden of Eden, serpents represent temptation and evil. Antonio's taunts have contained so much venom that Shylock feels that if he does not get rid of him while he has the chance, he may never have the opportunity again. From Shylock's point of view, why should he let Antonio, the man who makes his life a living hell, live if he can legally get rid of him? Shylock remarks, "What judgement shall I dread, doing no wrong?" (4.1.90). In his mind, Shylock is in the right, morally and legally. Antonio was not forced to sign the contract nor borrow the money, but did so willingly. To further justify his actions, Shylock compares their agreement to the "many a purchased slave" (4.1.91), saying how masters are not condemned for the punishments they inflict on their contracted slaves. This is yet another lash at the difference of religion because the Jews were persecuted for centuries and forced into slavery. Shylock is alluding to the past and present persecutions of the Jews and demonstrating the hypocrisy in the situation.
     At the end of Act 4, when Shylock is being convicted of attempt of murder, the Duke allows the charges to be dropped under three circumstances assigned by Antonio. One of conditions entails that Shylock must "presently become a Christian" (4.1.402). This is catastrophic news to Shylock because his faith is so much a part of him. He has been insulted, taunted, and assaulted because of his religion. And now, after he thought he was finally going to rid himself of his most frequented abuser, he is forced to worship a religion that has ripped away his job, family, and possessions. This is when I felt the most sympathy for Shylock because a person's religion is part of their identity. Antonio strips Shylock of everything physically and emotionally important to him. After Shylock is forced into Christianity, it is almost like his character dies because that is the last time he appears in the play. Shakespeare uses the religious conflict between the characters to explain the depth and volume of their hatred for one another.

Antonio's Frustration: Revealed

      As The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare progresses, the character of Antonio begins to unravel throughout the story. He begins as a very distraught man, over what, he is unsure. Solanio and Salarino begin making hypothesis as to the root of his sadness. When they bring up the idea of love, Antonio brushes off the topic as if it were a joke. However, his discomfort about the subject allows the reader to infer that he may be unsatisfied in that realm of his life.
       Later in the book, Bassanio comes to Antonio seeking a loan. Even though he has defaulted on his loan in the past, and prior to an explanation of why he needs the loan, Antonio says, "Within the eye of honor, be assured/ My purse, my person, my extremest means/ Lie all unlocked to your occasions" (1.1.144-145). Best friends have close bonds, but most are not willing to sacrifice all of their possessions and even more extreme, their lives, for a friend. Antonio's feelings for Bassanio lie deeper than friendship. At this point, we are still unsure about how much Antonio cares for Bassanio, but the reader learns that there is a special bond between the two.
      Thanks to Antonio's generosity, Bassanio is able to acquire a loan from Shylock and venture to Belmont in an attempt to woo Portia. In order to borrow the money, Antonio is locked into a binding contract that allows one pound of his flesh to be cut from his chest if the loan is not paid back on the specified date. His ships crash, the cargo is lost, and Antonio is unable to repay Shylock. Once Antonio realizes that Shylock will have no mercy he hopes that he will be able to see Bassanio one last time; "Pray God Bassanio come/ To see me pay his debt, and then I care not" (3.4.38-39). Antonio is placed in a rather grave situation because he believes he is about to forfeit his life for Bassanio's happiness. Although he never intended his ships to fail, he knew it was a possibility when he signed the contract. Now he is going to perish for the well being of another. Antonio wants Bassanio to recognize all the sacrifices he has made.
     Antonio is a complex character because he is so indecisive about his own feelings. He cares deeply for Bassanio, yet knows they can never be together because of the disapproval of homosexuality in society. He therefore wants Bassanio to lead a joyful life, and will thus do whatever he can to assist. However, the situation becomes complicated when the contract jeopardizes Antonio's life so that Bassanio may wed Portia. Antonio pays for the man he loves to marry another woman. This unravels the depth of the tension because Antonio is not able to be with Bassanio, yet he still wants to support their friendship. The emotional conflict within Antonio creates the complexity of his character.