The Cycle of Conviction: How Persecution Fuels Delusion and Perpetuates Conflict
In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, stands as a figure both vilified and victimized, his vengeful pursuit of a "pound of flesh" from the Christian merchant Antonio born from years of humiliation and prejudice. His famous plea-"Hath not a Jew eyes?" —lays bare the pain of being an outcast, yet his refusal to show mercy marks him as a villain in the eyes of the play's Christian characters. Shylock's story is more than a literary artifact; it's a window into a timeless human dynamic: the way persecution, whether historical or personal, can entrench devotion to an idea, even when that devotion leads to actions that contradict the very values one claims to uphold. This cycle-oppression breeding rigid conviction, which in turn justifies harm-plays out not just in Shakespeare's Venice but across cultures, histories, and even everyday arguments, creating a world where delusion, cloaked in certainty, perpetuates conflict and division.
The Roots of the Cycle: Persecution and Identity
At its core, this dynamic begins with suffering. When a group or individual is marginalized, attacked, or dehumanized, it often strengthens their sense of identity. This is not mere stubbornness; it's a survival mechanism. For Jews in Renaissance Europe, like Shylock, systemic anti-Semitism-legal restrictions, social ostracism, and physical violence-forced a reliance on community and faith to endure. Shylock's insistence on his bond reflects this: his demand for justice is less about the money and more about reclaiming dignity in a world that denies it.
Similarly, early Christians, persecuted by the Roman Empire, clung fiercely to their faith, which later fueled the Crusades and Inquisitions when they gained power. Early Muslims, facing tribal hostility in seventh-century Arabia, unified around their new religion, which later justified conquests in the name of spreading the faith.
This pattern isn't exclusive to religious groups. Any community under threat-whether ethnic, political, or ideological-tends to double down on its defining beliefs. The trauma of being an outsider creates a siege mentality, where loyalty to the "in-group" becomes paramount. In modern times, this can be seen in Israel's policiPost too long. Click here to view the full text.
