Shakespeare also uses the hyperbole, "No, take my life and everything!", through Shylock's line after he is forced to convert, leaving Shylock to groan about his fate, showing how defeated Shylock feels as he is forced to change his religion entirely, changing him as a person himself when he does not even want to, and that he has no choice and no say over the superior Christian. From the text, Shylock laments, "No, take my life and everything! Don't leave me just with that!". This shows my how prejudice reflects the deep divisions between justice, religion and humanity, and how being discriminated leaves Jews such as Shylock stripped of identity, wealth and dignity as superior races such as Christianity stay superior over the hated Jews, showing how badly Shylock was treated in the Merchant of Venice through racial discrimination.

E: This suggests that friendship in the play is not casual but something deep and binding. Antonio values Bassanio’s happiness above his own safety, showing that true friendship involves selflessness and personal risk. By making Antonio so willing to endanger himself, Shakespeare portrays it as more precious than wealth, business, or even life itself.

E+A: The evidence "You know that I would do anything I can for you" shows hyperbole that Antonio offers his money and his life to his friend Bassanio. This establishes friendship as selfless and noble, elevating it above business concerns. Later, even when Bassanio begs him not to sign the bond, Antonio insists: "Yes Shylock, I will sign this bond." This highlights the fact that true friendship is tested under extreme pressure, yet Antonio's loyalty remains unwavering and he remains steadfast. Antonio's loyalty persists, showing that friendship can demand immense personal cost. His insistence also foreshadows the danger he’ll face later when the bond becomes life-threatening.

L: To link it up, Shakespeare uses Antonio and Bassanio to portray how true friendship can be selfless, loyal and sacrificial even when facing death.

E: Shakespeare explores how love and attraction can clash with blood relations. In a typical household, a daughter was expected to remain loyal to her family until marriage. However, Jessica’s love for Lorenzo drives her to abandon both her father and her religion, eloping with him and converting to his faith.

E+A: This can be seen from Jessica's elopement with Lorenzo. Jessica says in Act 2 Scene 3, "Oh, how terrible it is that I am ashamed to be my father's child... I shall become a Christian, and your loving wife."

Shakespeare uses the literary device irony in Jessica's words. The irony is that Jessica rejected her father and his spiritual beliefs and declared that she will convert to Christianity for love. Through irony, Shakespeare questions the extent to which love can compel Jessica to reject her father and renounce her former faith.

Shakespeare also uses the literary device diction. The diction “ashamed” shows that Jessica was willing to leave her father and her old religion in order to pursue a new identity defined by her love for Lorenzo. This shows how much more important love was compared to family ties in Jessica's eyes.

L: Thus, Shakespeare shows that love and attraction is powerful enough to override family loyalty and religious identity. This shows the impact that romantic love has on traditional bonds.

Shakespeare also depicts racial discrimination through Christian supremacy. Shakespeare highlights the cruelty of Christian prejudice through their abuse of Shylock. Antonio openly admits: "I am sure that I shall probably call you 'dog' again, spit on you and turn my back on you." This shows how hatred between Christians and Jews are normalised and legitamised. The diction in "dog" suggests that Antonio is dehumanising Shylock, calling Shylock, a human being, an animal. This means that Antonio thinks he was superior to Shylock, looking down on him, showing the hatred between Antonio, a Christian, and Shylock, a Jew. Hence, Shakespeare depicts racial discrimination through Christian supremacy.

Shakespeare depicts racial discrimination through Christian hypocrisy, supremacy and dehumanisation. The Christians believe that they are better than the Jews. The irony "a very hard man who does not care about other people. He does not have the smallest drop of mercy" shows how although the Duke calls Shylock heartless, he and the other Christians deny mercy to Shylock, forcing him to convert, simultaneously ostracizing him. They talk about how Shylock is merciless although they themselves are merciless in his punishment,, thus highlighting their hypocrisy. The diction "dog", "spit", in "I am sure that I shall probably call you 'dog' again, spit on you and turn my back on you" highlights the cruelty of the Christian prejudice through their abuse. This shows how hatred is normalised and legitimised by the Christian majority. Hence, Shakespeare depicts racial discrimination through contradictions and degradation.

Shakespeare portrays friendship above love and attraction. This is shown through the quote by Bassanio, "But life itself, my wife, and all the world are not more important to me than your life. I would give everything to this devil, to save you." This quote emphasises how Bassanio prioritises his best friend, Antonio, before anyone or anything else, love and attraction for his wife included. The diction of "everything" shows how Bassanio was willing to give anything for his friendship with Antonio. This shows how Shakespeare does not prioritise love and attraction above other relationships in the play, but prioritises friendship instead. It is also evident from the quote, "I shall hurry away", where Bassanio delays his marriage with Portia in order to go for Antonio's trial. This shows that Bassanio prioritises his friendship with Antonio over his love and attraction to Portia, even delaying his marriage to Portia, emphasizing how Shakespeare portrays friendship above love.

Furthermore, the duke calls Shylock :"a very hard man who does not care about other people. He does not have the smallest drop of mercy" There is irony in the sentence as although the duke asks Shylock for mercy, yet when the duke asks for Shylock's mercy, Antonio told him to convert into a Christian. This cruelty has shown the Christian Hypocrisy and irony as although the duke asks Shylock to give mercy, later when Shylock is being given maximum punishment, no one gives any mercy to him. Through this 2 evidences, can there be shown the racial discrimination of the jews in venetian society through christian hypocrisy and supremacy

P: Shakespeare depicts friendship as a bond of sacrifice, most clearly in Antonio's willingness to risk his life for Bassiano.

E: In the play, Antonio is portrayed as a character who places friendship above everything else, Antonio was able to lend money to Bassiano for him to court Portia, and later on risk his own life for Bassiano's sake.

E+A: Shakespeare uses diction "do anything" in "You know that I would do anything I can for you" to illustrate how Antonio readily offers his money and even his life. This establishes friendship as selfless and noble, elevating it above business concerns. Shakespeare also uses diction "yes, Shylock, I will sign this bond" to convey how even while the friendship between Antonio and Bassiano was being tested under pressure when Antonio was asked to sign the bond, he remained steadfast and insisted on signing the bond. This shows how Antonio's continued loyalty, showing that friendship can demand immense cost.

L: Therefore, Shakespeare presents friendship to be selfless and noble

Shakespeare shows racial discrimination by pointing out Christian hypocrisy. The Duke even calls Shylock “a very hard man who doesn’t care about others and has no mercy at all.” But later, the Christians themselves refuse to show him mercy, forcing him to convert, which shows they only practice compassion when it suits them. This irony highlights their hypocrisy — the Duke accuses Shylock of lacking mercy, yet the Christians also deny him mercy in the end. It shows that they preach about mercy but don’t actually live by it. So, Shakespeare is showing racial discrimination through how the Christians act so hypocritically.

Shakespeare depicts racial discrimination through Christian hypocrisy and supremacy. The trial scene serves to depict the ironic decision made in court that led to Shylock, who had always been the aggressor, being the victim at the end of the play - he lost everything he had and had to convert to his religion to Christianity by the demand of Antonio. The irony is evident from Act 4, in the trial scene Portia elevates mercy as divine. "Mercy falls like gentle rain from the skies onto the ground below...It blesses those that give it, and those that take it". However, her words contradicted to her actions. It is ironic that she doesn't stop Antonio from his absurd demands to punish Shylock by converting his religion - which he deemed as mercy. This shows how Portia was also supportive of the discrimination against Jews. Just like every other Christian in the court, Portia did not stand up to Antonio's idiotic request. Portia did not display mercy by defending Shylock in fact, she supported Antonio's demand which contracts to her speech of the importance of showing mercy. Additionally, Antonio adds harsh conditions to Shylock’s survival beside the punishment already given by law. The Duke confirms Antonio's request and said “He(Shylock) must do this, or I shall not give the mercy that I promised.” The diction "mercy" is ironic as the "mercy" given by the Duke was for Shylock to immediately convert to "Christian, and that he makes a will giving everything he has to his son Lorenzo and his daughter when he dies". If Shylock does not agree to the punishment given at the mercy of the Duke, his life will be taken instead. This left Shylock with no choice but to admit defeat. Once again, the Jews are depicted to have fallen to their knees and acknowledge defeat to Christianity. This moment shows Christian supremacy at its height where mercy is conditional upon Shylock’s forced conversion and the loss of his legacy to a Christian son-in-law. The ironic is shown in how the Venice Law could allow for such brutal punishment to be considered as mercy by Chrisitan who are supposedly meant to be god-like and compassionate. In conclusion, Shakespeare vividly portray racial prejudice through predomination of Chrisitan population in Venice society.

Shakespeare depicts racial discrimination through verbal abuse and dehumanising actions. When Antonio - a Christian, interact with Shylock - a Jew, racial prejudice can be seen in how he humiliate and treat Shylock worse than an animal. This is evident in Act 1, where Antonio replied to Shylock when borrowing money from him "I am sure that I shall call you 'dog' again, spit on you". The diction 'again' conveys how Antonio has already called Shylock derogatory terms numerous times before and claims he will continue to do so. This illustrates how Antonio exhibits a racial superiority complex, as he does not respect Shylock as a human and calls him rude, belittling names. Additionally, the diction "spits" evokes a sense of disgust and distaste. It is a physical action typically done to harass and disrespect others. This showcases how Antonio looks down on Shylock, constantly mistreating and emitting hostility towards him. He treats Shylock like he is an animal, stripping him of his humanity. Antonio finds Shylock unworthy of his respect which can be seen in how Antonio looks down on Shylock for being a different religion and having a lower social status. In conclusion, by belittling and disrespecting Jews like Shylock, Antonio reveals his religious prejudice views.

Shakespeare portrays racial discrimination through verbal and physical abuse. In the merchant of venice act 1, shakespeare paints vivid picture of how the others in the play treat shylock, from calling shylock names like “devil”, “cut-thorat dog” to physically assaulting him. In act 1 scene 1, shylock voices out his inner thoughts. “You call me a cut-throat dog – someone who unfairly takes from others. You spit on my Jewish coat. And all this is because of how I use my own money.” the metaphor of “cut-throat dog” compares shylock to that of a dog. By this comparison, Antonio strips shylock’s identity entirely. This was not just a mere insult, but a deliberate reduction of personhood to that of an animal. Furthermore, it goes against his religion as dogs are seen as unclean. This strips shylock entirely of his identity as a jew. “…shall probably call you ‘dog’ again, spit on you and turn my back on you.” the diction of “again” shows how this name calling and physical assault will happen numerous times. It further emphasizes the repetitive nature of the name-calling and physical assault. It suggests that antonio will allow these harmful actions to occur multiple times, highlighting a cycle of abuse or conflict between religions, in this case, between Christians and jews. This diction choice intensifies the sense of ongoing hostility and the likelihood that the abusive behavior is not going to be a one-time event but rather a recurring pattern.

Shakespeare portrays racial discrimination through the legal system and justice itself, which is shown to favour Christians and marginalize Jews. The Venetian law, supposedly equal, is manipulated to protect Christian dominance and crush Jewish resistance, exposing systemic discrimination masked as righteousness.

This is evident in Portia's speech of mercy, "Mercy falls like gentle rain from the skies onto the ground below..." Mercy is praised by Christians as a divine value and is meant to elevate Christian justice. Yet, when the verdict turns, they show Shylock no mercy: his fortune is seized, and he is forced to convert. This shows the unequal application of mercy. In the legal system, mercy is preached but not practiced- because he is Jewish, his humanity is discounted. Another example is in the trial scene. Shylock enters the trial demanding what the law grants him: a pound of Antonio’s flesh. He relies on Venetian law, which supposedly upholds contracts equally, regardless of religion. However, once the Duke, Antonio, and the other Christians are threatened by the bond, the court bends the law against Shylock. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, twists legal technicalities to defeat him. What is presented as clever mercy is actually racial discrimination—Shylock is denied the same impartial justice that a Christian might expect. In conclusion, Shakespeare shows racial discrimination not just in personal prejudice but in the very structure of Venetian justice.

Shakespeare prioritises love and attraction above other relationships by emphasising how strong Jessica and Lorenzo's love is. Their love is demonstrated when Jessica elopes with Lorenzo. Because of him, she becomes "a Christian, and your loving wife". "loving wife" elucidates that she prioritises love more than her relationship with her father, running away to get married to Lorenzo, leaving her father and her religion, behind, which displays how her love for him is so strong that it even affects her relationship with her biological family. The irony when Jessica is "certainly not his daughter in the way we live our lives" shows how even though Jessica is Shylock's biological daughter, she denies it just because of how unlike they are in the way that they live. She forsakes and rejects her father just to be with Lorenzo, which shows how love is being portrayed as a greater force than all other relationships. Therefore, Shakespeare displays love as a powerful force by Jessica and Lorenzo's relationship, even though Jessica has to leave her family behind to be with Lorenzo.

"Life itself, my wife, and all the world are not more important to me than your life." Shakespeare uses contrast to compare life, wife and the world with Antonio's life. This makes the friendship seem extremely loyal and sacrificial as it outweighs everything else including romantic life, further showing the importance of the friendship to Antonio and Bassanio. Bassanio's declaration to Antonio highlights the emotional primacy of friendship in the play.

By depicting Antonio and Bassanio valuing their friendship above wealth, love, and even life itself, this therefore concludes how Shakespeare depicts friendship as a bond of sacrifice.

E: Shakespeare explores how love and attraction can clash with blood relations. In a typical household, a daughter was expected to remain loyal to her family until marriage. However, Jessica’s love for Lorenzo drives her to abandon both her father and her religion, eloping with him and converting to his faith.

E+A: This can be seen from Jessica's elopement with Lorenzo. Jessica says in Act 2 Scene 3, "Oh, how terrible it is that I am ashamed to be my father's child... I shall become a Christian, and your loving wife."

Shakespeare also uses the literary device diction. The diction “ashamed” shows that Jessica was willing to leave her father and her old religion in order to pursue a new identity defined by her love for Lorenzo. This shows how much more important love was compared to family ties in Jessica's eyes.

Shakespeare uses the literary device irony in Jessica's words. The irony is that Jessica rejected her father and his spiritual beliefs and declared that she will convert to Christianity for love. Through irony, Shakespeare questions the extent to which love can compel Jessica to reject her father and renounce her former faith.

L: Thus, Shakespeare shows that love and attraction is powerful enough to override family loyalty and religious identity. This shows the impact that romantic love has on traditional bonds.

P: Shakespeare portrays friendship over love and attraction in the play of merchant of Venice. Shakespear explores how friendship can clash with love and attraction by the relationship of Bassanio and Portia and the friendship of Bassanio and Antonio. This is evidence from the book, where Bassanio prioritises to save Antonio when he is getting murdered by Shylock to pay for his own bond. Since Antonio couldn't pay Shylock as his ships did not come in time. Shylock is about to take Antonio's heart. After Bassanio gets engaged with Portia, he receives a letter from Antonio about his situation, Bassanio then decides to postpone his marriage with Portia to witness Antonio's case in court. Which shows how he prioritises his friendship with Antonio over his marriage with Portia. Shakespeare uses visual imagery, " this letter is like the body of my friend and every word in it is a bleeding wound." This highlights how Bassanio visualises the pain of Antonio through the letter, showing the importance of Antonio to Bassanio. Shakespeare also uses repetition, " The kindest man. The best natured man." This emphasises how Bassanio thinks of Antonio, a kind man and the best natured friend, showing how Bassanio thinks that Antonio is a good and kind man. Therefore I think that Shakespeare prioritises friendship over love and atreaction in Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare highlights Christian hypocrisy during the trial scene by juxtaposing the Christians' words with their actions towards Shylock, who is a Jew. Shakespeare uses the literary device of irony in the Duke's words to Shylock of "a very hard man who does not care about other people. He does not have the smallest drop of mercy" and in the words of Antonio when he is asked what mercy he can show to Shylock, "he immediately becomes a Christian". These dialogues emphasise how the Christians, though ask Shylock to be merciful and call him to be the devoid of mercy, Antonio shows Shylock "mercy" by making him convert from a Jew to a Christian, making him believe on something he does not want to. The irony of the Christians treating a Shylock, a Jew, discriminatively highlights their hidden religious discrimination against Judaism and the Jew, Shylock, conveying how the Christians in Merchant of Venice are hypocrites.

Next, the literary device of when Antonio openly admitted that he will "call [Shylock] 'dog' again, spit on [him] and turn [his own] back on [Shylock]" in Act 1, Scene 3 of Merchant of Venice highlights how Antonio, as a Christian, treats Shylock, who is a Jew, with cruelty, and blatantly abuses him, highlighting how Antonio and the Christians in the Merchant of Venice have a sense of superiority and supremacy over the Jews, and indicating how Christians hate and bias against the Jews is normalised and legitimised, further illustrating the fact that the Christians have a higher social standing than the Jews in the Merchant of Venice.

All in all, Shakespeare depicts racial discrimination of Christians against Jews by illustrating their superiority over and biased actions against the Jews.

This can also be observed from when Shylock was interrogating him about the bond for lending money, saying "Goodbye! He is turning into a Christian - he is becoming kind." This shows that Antonio, a Christian, only believes that people can only be kind and compassionate if they are a Christian and have the same beliefs and morals as him. This also exposes how Christians views all Jews and other people of different religions not as real and sincere people, but rather sinners that could or could not be redeemed. Antonio, a christian, regards any non-Christian negatively with conniving remarks and disrespect, displaying a clear discrimination and dislike towards them.