Identify the underlying theme in a Shakespearian play you have studied. Discuss the relevance of these themes in the context to the period and why they are still relevant today

Religion and race are moving forces with exorbitant capabilities, and for this reason are a driving theme in Shakespeare's playwright 'The Merchant of Venice'. Through modern day events, it is evident that the religious and racial affairs portrayed in the text are of equal relevance in today's society. Whilst stating this, many individuals may deny and believe that we [society] no longer deal with such issues. This essay through contextualisation, quotes and scenes from the …

…traditions will always remain traditions and for the purpose of this essay, religious and racial intolerance will remain a 'tradition'. Through these examples, to deny that religious and race issues are relevant is obscene, as it is obvious that the issue of religion and race in the Elizabethan period as portrayed through the 'Merchant of Venice' was as significant as is in today's established societies as the affairs encountered with religion and race still withstand.