Online lesson 10

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/oct/27/israel.iran

The link above talks about the conflict between Israel and Iran. The Iran president had made it official about their unacceptance towards Israel. This is similiar to the Merchant of Venice as in the story, the Christian hated the Jews and vice versal.

http://www.jstor.org/pss/352565

The link above shows example of an interfaith marriage, similiar to that of in The Merchant of Venice where Jessica, a Jew was married to Lorenzo.

Story:

Henry walked around the market patronizing the stalls. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a beautiful fair lady, accompanied by numerous guards and followers. He dared not look up directly into the eyes of the lady, as he knew that she was someone of a high status and he was a Jew. She walked past him, however, accidently knocked him down.

Henry fell badly, but he expected no help from anyone. But to his surprise, the lady gave him a hand, as asked with great concern if he was fine. With that, they got known of each other. Henry soon knew that the lady was called Tiffany, and was the daughter of a Christian commander of the German Army.

With days of interaction, they fell in love and decided to declare marriage. However, both families objected to this marriage.

“Are you crazy? How can you be married to a filthy Jew? That’s a huge disgrace to the family!” Tiffany father objected vigorously after the request from Tiffany to be married to Henry. Tiffany pleaded for agreement in tears, but it did not move her father.

“No! Do you know what kind of criticism we will receive if you marry that women? I beg you, no!” Henry’s mother pleaded Henry to put this marriage to a stop. Despite Henry’s numerous request once and again, Henry mother did not agree.

However, this couple were adamant and insisted on their marriage. News soon spread around the town, while Tiffany only received criticism, Henry often got beatings from both the Jews and Christians. Tiffany’s father chose to break his relationship with his only daughter, than to lose his reputation as a commander.

The marriage was soon held, the families from both parties did not turn up. They had a quiet wedding, however, they were so in love that it did not bother them. But after that, they had to face the harsh reality that the townspeople did not accept such a interfaith marriage that they had to leave the town for other country.