The Merchant of Venice is perhaps most associated not with its titular hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The play was described as a comedy in the First Folio but its modern audiences find it more problematic to categorise. The vilification of Shylock 'the Jew' can be very uncomfortable for a post-holocaust audience and debates continue as to whether Shakespeare's portrayal of this complex man is sympathetic or anti-semitic.
John Drakakis' comprehensive introduction traces the stage history of the figure of the Jew and looks boldly at twenty-first century issues surrounding it. He also explores other themes of the play such as father/daughter relations, the power of money and the forceful character of Portia, to offer readers an energetic, original and revelatory reading of this challenging play.
| ISBN: | 9781903436813 |
| Publication date: | 6th February 2011 |
| Author: | William Shakespeare, John Drakakis |
| Publisher: | The Arden Shakespeare an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 400 pages |
| Series: | The Arden Shakespeare. Third Series |
| Genres: |
Classic and pre-20th century plays |