“Merchant of Venice” is labeled as an anti-Semitic play for its portrayal of hatred towards the J... more “Merchant of Venice” is labeled as an anti-Semitic play for its portrayal of hatred towards the Jews. However, reducing the play to that makes us incapable of analyzing the intentions of the dramatist. This paper addresses these issues and at length discusses the intentions of Shakespeare while talking about every scene with Shylock in it to fully understand Shakespeare’s intentions. The paper provides the opportunity to take a look at how Shakespeare humanized his presumably most hard-hearted character and therefore play with those stereotypes present during his time. The paper rescues “Merchant of Venice” from the notion of it being anti-Semitic.
Racial Injustice in "Othello: The Moor of Venice" Shakespeare's "Othello: The Moor of Venice" ope... more Racial Injustice in "Othello: The Moor of Venice" Shakespeare's "Othello: The Moor of Venice" opens with Iago and Rodrigo warning Barbantio about "thick lips" and "old black ram" who has stolen his daughter from him and has eloped with her. The scene begins with racial references to Othello portraying how he is typically viewed in the eyes of Venice-as a "black devil." However, Othello is very confident in his speech, manner and actions. Iago's jealousy against Othello leads Iago to believe that since he is black, he does not deserve all the things he gets, therefore he plots to convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him. Iago uses Othello's race to make him accept the fact that after all Desdemona is a Venetian too, and his race affects her view of him as well. It is almost a shock to the audience that Othello even gets convinced of this fact, but after a careful reading of the play, one can understand how Othello starts doubting himself. He calls Desdemona as black as his face-an indicator that he has also started viewing himself as everyone else does. With this self-doubt, Othello not only goes to the extent of hating Desdemona as everyone hates his skin but also to the extent of killing her while she is sleeping.
“Merchant of Venice” is labeled as an anti-Semitic play for its portrayal of hatred towards the J... more “Merchant of Venice” is labeled as an anti-Semitic play for its portrayal of hatred towards the Jews. However, reducing the play to that makes us incapable of analyzing the intentions of the dramatist. This paper addresses these issues and at length discusses the intentions of Shakespeare while talking about every scene with Shylock in it to fully understand Shakespeare’s intentions. The paper provides the opportunity to take a look at how Shakespeare humanized his presumably most hard-hearted character and therefore play with those stereotypes present during his time. The paper rescues “Merchant of Venice” from the notion of it being anti-Semitic.
Racial Injustice in "Othello: The Moor of Venice" Shakespeare's "Othello: The Moor of Venice" ope... more Racial Injustice in "Othello: The Moor of Venice" Shakespeare's "Othello: The Moor of Venice" opens with Iago and Rodrigo warning Barbantio about "thick lips" and "old black ram" who has stolen his daughter from him and has eloped with her. The scene begins with racial references to Othello portraying how he is typically viewed in the eyes of Venice-as a "black devil." However, Othello is very confident in his speech, manner and actions. Iago's jealousy against Othello leads Iago to believe that since he is black, he does not deserve all the things he gets, therefore he plots to convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him. Iago uses Othello's race to make him accept the fact that after all Desdemona is a Venetian too, and his race affects her view of him as well. It is almost a shock to the audience that Othello even gets convinced of this fact, but after a careful reading of the play, one can understand how Othello starts doubting himself. He calls Desdemona as black as his face-an indicator that he has also started viewing himself as everyone else does. With this self-doubt, Othello not only goes to the extent of hating Desdemona as everyone hates his skin but also to the extent of killing her while she is sleeping.
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