Language:
English
Year of publication:
1997
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Affairs
Angaben zur Quelle:
52,3 (1997) 44-51
Keywords:
Shakespeare, William,
;
Wesker, Arnold,
;
Antisemitism in literature
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in literature
Abstract:
The powerful, villainous image of Shylock, as created by Shakespeare, dehumanizes the Jew and poses difficult problems for producers of the play and for Jews who read and act Shakespeare. Some readings and modern versions of "The Merchant of Venice" have attempted to whitewash Shakespeare from the accusation of antisemitism and interpret the play as anti-racist, anti-sexist, etc. Another type of interpretation was undertaken by Arnold Wesker in his "Shylock" (or "The Merchant"), 1977. Without refuting the villainous role played by Shylock, Wesker shows that the role was forced upon him by Venetian society; thus, Shylock's guilt is tragic. Wesker does not justify Shylock, but he destroys the image of the mythical Jew embodied in him and re-humanizes him.
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