What is the present-day relevance of The Merchant of Venice, and how is this shown in the text?

The main issue many modern critics find of immediate relevance to contemporary culture is the issue of antisemitism. Many of the characters in the play think of Jews in stereotypical terms and treat them as second-class citizens. Although Shylock is portrayed as fitting the negative stereotypes of Jews in the period, he also has one of the most moving speeches in the play in which he pleads for understanding and against racism and prejudice: 

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The main issue many modern critics find of immediate relevance to contemporary culture is the issue of antisemitism. Many of the characters in the play think of Jews in stereotypical terms and treat them as second-class citizens. Although Shylock is portrayed as fitting the negative stereotypes of Jews in the period, he also has one of the most moving speeches in the play in which he pleads for understanding and against racism and prejudice: 

. . . I am a Jew. Hath

not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs,

dimensions, senses, affections, passions? . . . 

If you prick us, do we not bleed?