Not so much a play about Jewishness: more a play about money. Money drives everything in the restless, materialist world that is Shakespeare’s Venice. Over in Belmont, where women rule, different values predominate but, even there, they are fettered by money. Suitors queue for Portia not because of her brilliance or beauty, but because of her wealth. Only Shylock, who lives by money, is capable of freeing himself from it. He demands flesh. He demands revenge.