Usury

Lending money at interest, traditionally condemned in Christian teaching. Today the word usually means lending at excessively high interest.

Lending money at interest. In historical religious debates, the term could mean any interest; today it usually refers to excessive or exploitative interest.

Usury historically meant lending money at interest, not necessarily charging an unusually high rate. Christian objections drew on biblical teaching that lending should help neighbours rather than exploit their need. Another argument held that money, unlike livestock, could not naturally reproduce: earning money merely from money seemed morally wrong.

Lending money at interest. Historically, the word could condemn any interest, rather than only the excessive rates associated with its modern meaning.

Link context to particular words or actions, such as Christian opposition to usury and Antonio’s interest-free lending.

Lending money at interest, traditionally condemned by Christian teaching; today the word often means charging excessively high interest.

Lending money at interest, traditionally condemned by Christian teaching. Today the word usually refers to lending at excessive or exploitative rates.

Historically, lending money at interest, condemned by traditional Christian teaching. Today the word usually refers to excessive or exploitative interest.

Historically, lending money at interest, condemned by traditional Christian teaching. In modern usage, the word usually refers to excessive or exploitative interest.

Usury historically meant lending money at interest: requiring the borrower to repay more than the original loan. Traditional Christian teaching condemned it because lending should express charity rather than exploit another person’s need. Another argument held that money was sterile: unlike animals, it could not naturally reproduce, so making money breed more money was considered unnatural.

Lending at interest, historically condemned by Christian teaching; in modern usage, the term usually means lending at excessively high interest.

Lending money at interest, traditionally condemned by Christian teaching; the term can also mean lending at excessively high rates.

Lending money at interest, traditionally condemned by Christian teaching. In modern usage, the term usually means lending at excessively high interest.

Lending money at interest, traditionally condemned by Christian teaching. In modern usage, the word often means charging excessively high interest.

Lending money and charging interest. In the historical debate surrounding The Merchant of Venice, the term can mean charging any interest, not just an exceptionally high rate.

Usury meant lending money at interest. Christian teaching traditionally condemned it because lending should help someone in need rather than become a way of profiting from them. Biblical teachings about generosity supported this view.

Lending money and charging interest. In the play, Christian objections to this practice contribute to Antonio's conflict with Shylock.

Lending money at interest; in the play, Christians condemn Shylock’s practice while depending on his loans.

Lending money at interest; historically, the term could condemn interest-taking generally, rather than only exceptionally high rates.

Lending money and charging interest on it; in the play’s religious debate, this practice is morally disputed.

Lending money at interest. In the historical religious debate relevant to the play, this could mean charging any interest, rather than only an excessive rate.

In the religious debate behind the play, usury could mean charging any interest, not merely demanding an unusually high rate.

Historically, lending money at interest, which Christian teaching often condemned as sinful; today the term usually means charging excessive interest.

Lending money at interest, historically condemned by Christian teaching; the word can also mean lending at excessively high interest.

Lending money at interest, traditionally condemned by Christian teaching. In this historical context, the term can mean any interest, not only an excessive rate.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

Exam tips

Get more free notes every week

Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720