The Shakespearian comedy ‘The Merchant of Venice’ captures human experiences with marginalisation in a belittling society through the characterisation of both Portia and Shylock.

Shakespeare creates an anomolous character in Portia,; her role is to portray the typical female experience of submission, but is also to ironically subvert gender ideals by being an intelligent woman in a time where society saw no potential in females. At the beginning of the play, Portia is seen as impotent and powerless, shown when she says, “I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter cursed by the will of a dead father”father.” The discrepancies in authority are shown through the juxtaposition of ‘living daughter’ and ‘dead father’ as ironically men remained powerful, even in death. Later in the play, Portia is disguised as a man and viewed as an intellectual by all characters, shown when she is named “upright judge!”. The patriarchal society creates an individual female experience, shown asas when Portia, dressed aas a man, is offered authority and status, but as a woman is forced into submission, proving the inconsistent treatment in society.

Additionally, the character of Shylock represents the human experience of isolation because of religious persecution. Through Shylock's speech in act 1 he describes the torment he has faced, saying Antonio “spat on me on wednesday last” but despite this he remains loyal to ishis faith, shown when he says “Suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe.” The inclusive pronoun introduces the isolated nature of the Jewish people paradoxically, emphasising their inferiority and oppression within society as a group. This effectively shows the antisemitic views of the Elizabethan people and the human experience of isolation created because of this.

It is through this characterisation that Shakespeare is able to convey experiences.