The Merchant of Venice is a painful read – much more so than other Shakespeare plays – because it depicts oppression without taking a position one way or the other 'other. Portia is undermined by societal gender inequality, the Prince of Morocco struggles with racism, and Shylock was written so audiences could hate him because of his Jewishness and his profession. However, this bias is what makes the piece so important to read and ponder. The purpose of censorship is to protect students from controversial and politically incorrect opinions, but it is counterproductive to omit topics in class rather than using them as a means of raising awareness. Learning about structural oppression is daunting, overwhelming, and infuriating, but the discussion can encourage people to move past guilt and anger and start thinking about ways to reduce oppression. Since school provides individuals with a controlled, safe, and informative learning environment, it should be used to broaden the debate on social issues that persist in our postmodern society. Literary works that offer a variety of points of view, even unethical ones, are fundamental to intellectual growth. As long as there is discourse and criticism of the amoral or unethical views contained in such stories, their reading should be compulsory in schools. The Merchant of Venice, with its strong anti-Semitism, underlying sexism, and blatant racism, is a perfect resource for students to clearly understand the societal and interpersonal functioning behind prejudice in the real world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay The dark skin of the prince of Morocco is vilified before the character appears on stage for himself, thus contributing to the Racial stigma against people of color in Shakespeare's times. Portia treats the prince's skin color, a physical and uncontrollable factor, more as a negative personality trait. She treats him and his country as “others,” or people so foreign that they are practically uncivilized compared to the main characters of the play. “If I could welcome the fifth as heartily as I can bid farewell to the other four, I should be glad of his approach; if he has the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I would rather he shrivel me than marry me” (1.3.127-131). Here she says that she would never want to marry the prince of Morocco, even if he were a "saint" (1.3.130), because the prince has a dark complexion like "the devil" (1.3.130). Her nonchalant and casual racial intolerance is cruel as she unfairly judges the prince based on his physical differences, while she rejects potential white suitors based on flawed character traits. Even the Prince shames his own skin color, his first line being "I don't look like myself because of my complexion" (2.1.1). In Shakespeare's time, black men were often associated with evil, thus often filling the role of the villain. In today's society, blackness is still associated with corruption, poverty and wickedness, and dark-skinned people are still rarely seen in protagonist positions in modern media. There is an implicit racial hierarchy broadcast throughout media history, reflecting the systematic racism embedded in our society over centuries. Whether the media presents superheroes, animated animals, fairies or cars, this sameRacial pyramid persists across the kingdom: white or white-voiced characters at the top and other ethnicities at the bottom, darker ones at the bottom. The public is imbued with this unspoken and virtually undetectable racism, and the way diversity is represented on screen, on stage or in a play plays an important role in learning about this prejudice. Allowing debate and criticism of the discrimination committed against the Prince of Morocco in The Merchant of Venice is one way to counteract the continued dehumanization of people of color in the media and its translation into the real world. Shakespeare portrays his female characters as victims of a patriarchal society, their characters conveying the restrictions imposed on women. The power of Portia's father over his daughter, even in death, demonstrates the control that men have over the affairs of women, as if they were property rather than human beings: "So the will of a living daughter is -she slowed down by the will of a dead father. » (1.2.24-25). Indeed, describing the ordeal that the suitors must undertake, she says: “If you choose that in which I am contained, our nuptial rights will be immediately celebrated” (2.9.5-6). Portia is “confined” (2.9.5) in the box, imprisoned by this ordeal her father created to control her. Additionally, women were not allowed to appear in court, but when Portia dresses as a man, she is recognized as learned and wise. Portia, mocking each suitor for being drunk or obsessed with his horse, compares his great intelligence to the flaws of her male counterparts. Even as a witty and intelligent character, she is only able to exert her power and authority when she presents herself in the guise of a man. Female characters achieve their goals better than their husbands as "men", only to return to the "prize to win" or "nagging wife" cliché as women. As a woman, her opinion, personality, and character are negligible compared to her as a man. Throughout history, the majority of anonymous writers, artists, and workers have been women; otherwise, their work would have gone unnoticed and would have been abandoned. Confronting structured gender roles and sexist ideals rooted in historical circumstances requires a clear example of what sexism looks like. The Merchant of Venice supports anti-Semitism by portraying Shylock as a greedy and stereotypical Jewish moneylender intent on usurping "good" Christian character. . Shylock's suggestion that a pound of Antonio's flesh be paid reminds Shakespeare's 16th-century audiences of false stories of murderous Jews seeking Christian blood for religious rituals. Shylock is driven by an inherent cruelty based on the current era's hatred for the Jewish people. In an aside, Shylock describes his nemesis, Antonio: “How like a flattering tax collector he is! I hate him because he is a Christian” (1.3.41-42). Shylock was shown to be just as hateful and evil as Antonio. The only difference between the two is that Shylock is not just an old moneylender on trial in court, but the reviled stereotype of an entire religion. Greedy, ruthless, and obsessed with the letter of the law, he chooses to turn away from the mercy of Christ and not take Antonio's flesh, thereby condemning himself and his religion. Shakespeare wanted to contrast the kind main Christian characters with the vindictive Jew, who lacks the ability to understand mercy. Additionally, by condemning Shylock and giving Antonio a happy ending, Shakespeare condones the racist actions committed against Shylock, including calling him "a miscreant, a cut-throat dog, and spitting on.