I am a Jew – Shylock in Shakespeare
- Paigham Mustafa
- Jun 9
- 6 min read
By Paigham Mustafa
To live in peace and security, we all need the same enduring universal values.
Common values remove barriers and bring people together whatever their background; if individuals are good then, unfailingly, society will also be good.
Religions by their very nature are fissile – we can see this by the ever-increasing number of sects in each religion. Gender, race, ethnicity, class, caste, nationality, and many other aspects of bigotry further divide people.
The many social differences we see, however they arise, are often sustained by political engineering, resulting in horrendous consequences for many in society.
Pharaoh[1] divided his people in order to maintain his grip on power. The Aryan invaders of the Indus valley created the caste system that is still causing untold misery. In the 1990s the Hutu violence against the Tutsi in Rwanda was of horrific proportions and more recently the genocide by the Buddhists of the Rohingya in Myanmar defies belief that such wickedness can still take place in a modern age. The Europeans who colonised the world were masters at this game. History and our ‘modern’ era are replete with examples of such atrocities.
While religion gives the evil absurdities of the world a noble framework, nationalism and racism are equally repugnant as ideas of superiority that all intelligent people should reject. This is why Islam is a challenge to religion and any ideology that holds back or obstructs human progress. While religions conflict with each other and can never truly be reconciled, it is Islam that harmonises societies and its peoples. It is discipline and Self-restraint; the rules of life that give true and continuing freedom.
All people, irrespective of their differences of culture, race or gender need the same core values to prosper.
Shylock’s famous speech in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice explains this eloquently.
The Merchant of Venice is a play that focuses on love and revenge in a world of religious intolerance between the Christian and Jewish population of Venice. Shylock goes on to point out that Christians and Jews are unified by their common humanity, despite their different religions.
After a Christian has eloped with his daughter, and the pair have made off with some of his money, Shylock confronts two taunting Christians. When they have finished with their scorn, they ask whether Shylock seriously intends to take, as an agreed part of a written contract, a pound of Antonio’s flesh if the merchant defaults on his loan. Shylock confirms that he is serious, especially given his recent indignities at the hands of Christians. The Christians of the story universally assume that they are a nobler species than the Jews are, but Shylock insists that they are no more pure than Jews, and Jews no less human than the Christians. From this story, both Jews and Christians – as should we all – have lessons to learn about humanity and humility.
I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.
Shylock, The Merchant Of Venice
Act 3, Scene 1.
All people are similar in their physical and social needs and all equally have the same latent potential to develop into better beings. They are also alike in the truth and justice that they need.
Remove all rites and rituals from religion, any religion, and you will be left with the universal values as found in the Quran. It is these common universal values that will remove fear and turmoil to create the peace and security we all need.
It has to be pointed out, however, that instead of using reason and good conduct to raise himself, Shylock ended his speech with a disturbing pledge that he will behave as badly as his tormentors, not only that, but he will “better the instruction”. By saying this he degrades himself to a level far below those whom he despises. Shylock expressed the very emotions that impede all human development. Examples of this can be seen throughout the world in all walks of life. This villainy is totally in conflict with the Quran that advises:
Not equal are the good response and the bad response. You shall resort with the best possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy may become your close friend. [Quran 41:34].
This verse exemplifies the thread that runs through the fabric of the Quran that decrees for all people to become benefactors of humanity. Tolerance and understanding is advocated at all times. A good example is the best weapon against evil and corrupt people. By applying this guidance, individuals can raise and excel their status. Had Shylock applied this, he may not have suffered the ignominy that he did.
As in the above example, the Quran advocates Permanent Values. When applied, these values raise the human Self by their own endeavour. This has meaning not only for the individual but also for society as a whole.
However, what exactly is a Permanent Value? While a transient value can change with time or place, a Permanent Value is enduring. It holds true wherever it is applied. Moreover, it builds character. A person with ever-changing values or selfish interests can never be a fit candidate for enduring success. People around the world may have different cultures and traditions, different clothes or food. However, despite the diversity of food people eat, every human needs the same nutrition.
The food you eat, will deprive or nourish your body and the values you apply will regress or develop your Self. Just as only proper nutrients will lead to good health, only Permanent Values will strengthen your Self. Therefore, we can say that both proper nutrients and Permanent Values are universal for the human being.
Who is a Jew?
If Jewishness is understood purely as an ethnicity, then questions arise about how different Jewish communities, including European Ashkenazi Jews, fit into that definition. If Jewishness is understood purely as a religion, then it becomes a faith that people can adopt regardless of ethnicity.
Historically, the descendants of Judah became known as Jews. However, according to biblical history, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, and the descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel became known collectively as the Children of Israel. In that broader sense, all Hebrews descended from the twelve tribes can be regarded as Israelites, with “Jew” later becoming the common term associated with them.
Who is a Semite?
The term “Semite” traditionally refers to peoples descended from Shem, one of the sons of Noah in biblical tradition. Semitic peoples include Arabs and Jews, among others, and the term also relates to Semitic languages such as Hebrew and Arabic.
Muslims, Christians, and Jews can all belong to Semitic peoples depending on their ancestry and cultural background. Palestinians, for example, are largely Arabic-speaking Semitic people.
Who is a Human?
A human is not simply someone who exists biologically, but someone who demonstrates humanity through conduct and character. Humanity is not a passive state; it is expressed through actions that uplift, support, and improve the lives of others.
© 2026 Paigham Mustafa
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paigham Mustafa has been engaged in the study and research of the Quran since 1988 and has contributed to the print media for over 37 years. His first major work, The Quran: God’s Message to Mankind, was published in 2016, followed by The Divine Blueprint in 2022. He is also the author of How To Be Human, published in 2025. His exegesis of the Quran often challenges traditional readings, offering instead a reasoned and objective analysis of the original text. His works provide essential guidance, helping readers gain a clearer, more informed understanding of Islam. This helps address many of the issues that stem from misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and misconceptions
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