Die Arbeit analysiert Shakespeares Stück aus der Perspektive postmoderner Identitätskonzepte aus den Race und Ethnic studies.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Racism, anti-Semitism and racist discourse
III. The candidates for Portia’s love
IV. Jessica
V. Shylock
1) Racist discourse directed at him
2) Racist discourse about him
3) Shylock’s motifs
a) Revenge
b) Economical reasons
c) Justice
4) Shylock as a stereotype
VI. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice through the analytical lens of Race and Ethnic Studies, aiming to uncover how the play constructs and defines "strangeness" and foreignness. The core objective is to analyze the portrayal of racially and ethnically marked characters, specifically focusing on how racist discourse and stereotyping are embedded within the play’s narrative and the characterization of Shylock.
- The theoretical application of Race and Ethnic Studies to Early Modern English drama.
- An analysis of racist discourse, both directed at and spoken about marginalized characters.
- The characterization of "alien" suitors and the construction of Jewish identity.
- The intersection of religious prejudice, economic motivation, and vengeance.
- The function of stereotypes and their role in the play's thematic structure.
Excerpt from the Book
V. Shylock
Shylock has to suffer a lot of assaults both subtle and obvious mostly by Antonio but it should be mentioned that he is spoken of very deprecatory by the majority of protagonists in the play even before he tries to kill Antonio.
Antonio often insulted Shylock when he was making his deals at the Rialto. Even when Antonio asks him for the 3000 ducats for Bassanio he shows a lack of respect for him and interrupts him. He also brings up the negative topic of usury to attack Shylock. Furthermore, he insults him heavily in front of Bassanio by comparing him to the Devil:
“Mark you this, Bassanio, The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart, O what a goodly outside falsehood hath!”
This absence of acceptation is not new for Shylock:
“You call me a misbeliever, cutthroat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gabardine, And all for use of that which is mine own. Well then it now appears you need my help. Go to then. You come to me and you say, ‘Shylock, we would have moneys’-you say so, You that did void your rheum upon my beard And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold!”
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the enduring fascination with Shakespeare's play and establishes the academic framework of Race and Ethnic Studies to analyze themes of foreignness and anti-Semitism.
II. Racism, anti-Semitism and racist discourse: This section defines key theoretical concepts such as racism and racist discourse, explaining how these frameworks apply to the social dynamics present in the play.
III. The candidates for Portia’s love: This chapter analyzes how suitors like the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon are portrayed as national caricatures to emphasize their alien status.
IV. Jessica: This chapter explores Jessica's struggle to separate from her Jewish heritage and her ultimate assimilation into the Christian world through conversion and marriage.
V. Shylock: This central chapter investigates the systemic racist discourse directed at Shylock, his complex motivations, and his portrayal as a Jewish stereotype.
VI. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the findings, arguing that the play reproduces prevailing cultural stereotypes of its time while maintaining a complexity that allows for ongoing reinterpretation.
Keywords
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare, Race and Ethnic Studies, Anti-Semitism, Racist Discourse, Shylock, Stereotypes, Usury, Identity, Conversion, Othering, Early Modern England, Marginalization, Christian Mercy, Foreignness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on analyzing William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice through the perspective of Race and Ethnic Studies, specifically looking at how the play constructs identity and employs racist discourse.
What are the central thematic fields covered in this study?
The study covers the representation of religious and racial difference, the construction of the "Other," historical perceptions of Judaism, and the societal treatment of minorities in the play.
What is the primary research goal of the work?
The goal is to demonstrate how "strangeness" is defined and constructed in the play and to determine if the play itself can be classified as inherently racist or anti-Semitic.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes the theoretical instruments and concepts found in Race and Ethnic Studies, such as definitions of racist discourse, to interpret the text of the play.
What does the main body of the paper address?
The main body examines specific characters—suitors, Jessica, and primarily Shylock—to track how racist discourse and cultural stereotypes are manifested in dialogue and plot actions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include The Merchant of Venice, Race and Ethnic Studies, anti-Semitism, racist discourse, stereotypes, identity, and the construction of the "Other."
How is Shylock's desire for revenge explained in the text?
Shylock's desire for revenge is interpreted not as an innate trait, but as a reaction to the persistent harassment, dehumanization, and disrespect he suffers at the hands of the Venetian society and Antonio in particular.
What is the significance of the "casket lottery" mentioned in the text?
The casket lottery is analyzed as a test of character that exposes the personal defects of the non-Christian suitors, ultimately serving to validate the "insider" status of the Christian characters.
How does the paper interpret Jessica’s conversion?
Her conversion is viewed as an act of forced assimilation, where her identity is redefined from being defined by her Jewish father to being defined by her Christian husband.
Does the author conclude that the play is purely propaganda?
No, the author concludes that the play is too complex to be seen as simple propaganda, noting that it reflects the anxieties and prejudices of its time while remaining relevant due to its depth.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Christoph Dähling (Autor:in), 2010, Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" in the Light of Race and Ethnic Studies, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/177225
