Religious Conflict

A major conflict throughout The Merchant of Venice is religion and the characters' inability to agree. Shylock is the only practicing Jew in the play, which sets him up to be an outcast. All other characters are Christian and unwilling to understand Shylock's beliefs. As a result, they dislike and mistreat the usurer. Although all other characters view Shylock with disgust, this conflict is mainly presented between Shylock and Antonio.

The religious conflict is first introduced when Antonio asks Shylock for a loan. Shylock responds, "You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, and spet upon my Jewish gaberdine—and all for use of that which is mine own. Well then, it now appears you need my help" (I.iii.107-110). Shylock is baffled by the fact that Antonio has the nerve to ask anything of him after the way he has been treated. Antonio says hateful things to Shylock at every encounter because he dislikes that Shylock is a Jewish usurer. Antonio does not think it is morally correct to loan out money with interest and he does not understand why Shylock thinks it is right to make a living in such a manner. The fundamental difference between Judaism and Christianity is the source of their disagreement. Judaism is a rule-based religion, where if believers follow the rules, they will make it into heaven. Christianity is a moral-based system, where believers must act in a way that is morally correct in order to make it into heaven. Because nothing in Jewish law suggests that usury is wrong, Shylock is content with his profession. He does not understand why Christians criticize his business because he does not care to understand Christianity. Christians, on the other hand, believe that lending money without interest is the morally right thing to do, and so they are not willing to understand Shylock, his practices, or his religion. 

Shylock's morality is questioned again when Antonio is brought to trial. The merchant fails to pay back three thousand ducats and Shylock wants the pound of flesh he was promised. Even though Bassanio arrives offering twice the original loan as repayment, Shylock refuses the money and demands his reward. Even when Portia, disguised as a lawyer, insists that Shylock show mercy, the usurer declares, "My deeds upon my head. I crave the law, the penalty, and forfeit of my bond" (4.1.204-205). Shylock does not care that everyone else in the room does not agree with his decision to punish Antonio because he himself can live with it. He has been mistreated for so long and this is his form of revenge. Others do not understand his decision to murder because they are programmed to believe that killing is wrong.  Christians cannot understand why Shylock refuses to show mercy because they have been taught to be merciful people. In Christianity, God forgives people for their sins and in return, Christians are supposed to forgive others for their mistakes. Shylock is not wired to forgive in this way because he is not Christian. A deal was made and he believes that he should receive his side of the bargain. In other words, rules are rules and must be followed. Shylock's insistence to follow the conditions of his agreement with Antonio connects back to the rule-based system of Judaism. He has been taught to follow the rules of his religion, and so he is just transferring his beliefs to different aspects of his life.