The aspect of antisemitism in Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice” has been relevant throughout the play’s history and it has been discussed against different historical backgrounds and with different intentions. But especially since the traumatic historical experience of the Holocaust, the question “Is Shakespeare’s play anti-Semitic and does it evoke anti-Semitic sentiments in the audience?” has been of crucial importance for Shakespeare scholars and theatre directors.
But the complexity and controversy of the subject matter might put an even bigger challenge to teachers dealing with the play in EFL-classrooms. However, as compulsory teaching materials for the written Abitur examinations (advanced level) in Lower Saxony in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 the Ministry of Culture lists excerpts from “The Merchant of Venice” or “Romeo and Juliet”. So the question that put itself to a teacher in the past four years and will put itself to him in the next two years is not Will I discuss anti-Semitism in my English class at all? But: How will I deal with anti-Semitism in my English class?
In order to answer this question, i. e. how to deal with the aspect of anti-Semitism in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” in the English foreign language classroom, this paper will at first briefly examine the historical background of the play, give a survey on different understandings and interpretations of Shylock and take a look at various stagings of the play (chapter 1). Secondly, it will examine the teaching materials on “The Merchant of Venice” currently available to teachers with regard to the aspect of anti-Semitism and will compare and assess those materials. Finally, it will put down learning objectives and outline possible methods of teaching (chapter 2).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- "The Merchant of Venice" as an Anti-Semitic Play
- Historical Background of the Play
- The Conception of Shylock as a Character
- Different Stagings of Shylock throughout History
- "The Merchant of Venice" in the EFL-Classroom - Teaching Approaches
- Teaching Materials
- Learning Objectives
- Methods of Teaching
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the historical and contemporary relevance of antisemitism in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" and provide teachers with guidance on how to approach the subject effectively in an EFL classroom. The paper examines the historical context of the play, analyzes different interpretations of Shylock, and outlines teaching strategies and resources for addressing the topic of antisemitism.
- The historical and cultural context of antisemitism in Shakespeare's England.
- The complex character of Shylock and his portrayal in various stagings.
- The potential for "The Merchant of Venice" to evoke anti-Semitic sentiments in the audience.
- The challenges and opportunities in teaching "The Merchant of Venice" in an EFL classroom.
- The development and assessment of teaching materials related to antisemitism.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter delves into the historical context of "The Merchant of Venice," exploring the limited presence of Jews in Elizabethan England and the significance of Venice as a setting for the play. It also examines the conception of Shylock's character and analyzes various interpretations of his role and motivations. The chapter concludes by analyzing different stagings of Shylock throughout history, highlighting the evolution of his portrayal from a comic stock character to a tragic and sympathetic outsider.
The second chapter explores the practical aspects of teaching "The Merchant of Venice" in an EFL classroom. It examines existing teaching materials, analyzes learning objectives, and outlines potential teaching methods to effectively address the issue of antisemitism. The chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities in engaging students in a sensitive and meaningful way while fostering critical thinking and understanding.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores the themes of antisemitism, Elizabethan England, Shakespearean drama, character analysis, teaching strategies, and EFL pedagogy in the context of "The Merchant of Venice." It analyzes the portrayal of Shylock and the potential for the play to evoke anti-Semitic sentiments while examining the challenges and possibilities of teaching a potentially sensitive text in an EFL setting. Key concepts include historical context, cultural representation, character motivation, and teaching methods for promoting intercultural understanding.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Marc Felsbrecher (Autor:in), 2016, Shylock in the EFL-Classroom. Teaching the Aspect of Anti-Semitism in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/318681
