Is there discrimination in the merchant of Venice?

Discrimination is a major theme in the Merchant of Venice. There is discrimination found between the Christians and the Jews, who hate each other because they believe in different things to one another. This is found throughout the play when Shylock the Jew is continuously put down by the Christians; he is spat on, they steal his business, they steal his servant and daughter. Shylock also is discriminative towards the Christians when he tries to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio, because he says that he is only doing what a Christian would do.

Racial discrimination is also very clearly found when Portia bases her opinions of her suitors on what they look like and where they come from, instead of what sort of person they are. This is clearly found when she meets the Prince of Morocco and makes lots of side comments about him having the "devils skin". She dislikes him for the colour of his skin, not for his personality or social status.