How can Shakespeare's view on Judaism and Christianity be represented through the characters in Act 1 Scene 3, Act 3 Scene 1 and Act 4 Scene 1 of 'The Merchant of Venice'

"The merchant of Venice" is a play written by William Shakespeare before the duration 1958 and most probably in 1596. The play is set in the Capital city of Venice in Italy. Two characters dominate the main issues of this play Shylock and Antonio, at first we are introduced to the protagonist Shylock. Shylock is a Jew his character is stereotypically as evil and manipulative. Shakespeare has done this as throughout history and even within the Elizabethan …

…the two and this being Shakespeare's view. Overall at the same time I ultimately feel that we are left wondering if Shakespeare is only playing along with reconvention attitudes towards Jews. So as not to offend his audience and there are certain attempts he makes that Jews are not evil, that they suffer much too, referring back to act 3, scene 1 "hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means".