The Merchant of Venice live in a ghetto protected by Christian guards. Shakespeare's play may be seen as a continuation of this tradition. The title page of the Quarto indicates that the play was sometimes known as "The Jew of Venice" in its day, which suggests that it was seen as similar to Marlowe's "The Jew of Malta". One interpretation of the play's structure is that Shakespeare meant to contrast the mercy of the main Christian characters with the vengefulness of a Jew, who lacks the religious grace to comprehend mercy. Similarly, it is possible that Shakespeare meant Shylock's forced conversion to Christianity to
HMS Shakespeare (P221) is identified as an Italian light cruiser. On transferral to the Far East, she sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship "Unryu Maru". She was damaged by gunfire and air attack in the Nankauri Strait, Andaman Islands on 3 January 1945, whilst engaged with the Japanese auxiliary minesweeper "Wa 1". Both ships were damaged. "Shakespeare" returned to port, but was written off as a constructive total loss. She was sold on 14 July 1946 and was broken up by Thos W Ward, of Briton Ferry. HMS Shakespeare (P221) HMS "Shakespeare" was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part