Discrimination is a resonant theme in The Merchant of Venice (Meyers). All the characters are affected by inequality. This iniquity is clearly highlighted in Shylock, the Jewish moneylender. He is treated with contempt and derision by all the characters. Shylock's misfortunes do not arise from poor attributes or even a poor background; it comes from the fact that he is Jewish and, above all, he is unapologetic about that distinction. Had he been more discouraged by Christian influence, he might have been forgiven, as Jessica is subjectively exonerated. He is not contrite and it is believed that his fearful birth cannot be absolved (Bonnell). All characters are defined through Shylock. Lancelot Gobbo, Shylock's servant, treats his father disrespectfully, but this contempt is not poorly received by the audience; like the other examples of injustice, Lancelot's apathetic attitude towards his nearly blind father is inexplicably tolerated by past and contemporary society (Picker). Lancelot's disdain is generally believed to be the result of his disadvantaged upbringing, if it is noticed at all. His lack of education robbed him of good manners and common sense. The scene itself initially seems inconsistent with the rest of the play. The prejudice tolerated by women is evidenced by their tendency to dress in men's clothing to be heard or considered (Olson). As women, their voices are inhibited or ignored; they are overshadowed and neglected by society. Portia, for example, has no choice but to accept being the lottery prize of her “loving” late father. All decisions are made regarding her future and life is influenced by men. The fact that the father is deceased does not diminish his power. In fact, its status is... middle of paper...99-330.Ornstein, Robert. Shakespeare's comedies: from Roman farce to romantic mystery. NewarkDel.: University of Delaware, 1986. Print.Picker, John. "Shylock and the Struggle for Closure." Judaism 43.2 (1994): 173.Quint, Alyssa Pia. “Ettinger's Yiddish Serkele Currency and the Reinvention of Shylock.” Prooftexts 24.1 (2004): 99-115.Ransome, William F. "Above The Sceptred Sway": Retrieving The Quality Of Mercy."Crítica 40.119 (2008): 3-27.Scott, William O. "Conditional Bonds, Forfeitures, And he swears in "The Merchant of Venice.."English Literary Renaissance 34.3 (2004): 286-305.Shakespeare, William, Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. The Merchant of Venice. NewYork: Washington Square, 1992. Print.Weisberg, Richard H. “Antonio's Legalistic Cruelty: Interdisciplinarity and “The Merchant of Venice.”” University literature 25.1 (1998): 12.