Shylock and the Jewish question
By: Martin D. Yaffe.
Series: Johns Hopkins Jewish studies
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Baltimore
Language: eng
Number of pages: 210
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Political and social views.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Characters -- Shylock.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Characters -- Jews.; Christianity and other religions -- Judaism.; Antisemitism -- Great Britain -- History.; Judaism -- Relations -- Christianity.; Shylock (Fictitious character); Jews -- Great Britain -- History.; Religion in literature.; Jews in literature.; Comedy.
Description: In Shylock and the Jewish Question, Yaffe challenges the widespread assumption that Shakespeare is, in the final analysis, unfriendly to Jews. Emphasizing that The Merchant of Venice is a work of political philosophy as well as literature, Yaffe raises the intriguing possibility that Shakespeare presents Shylock not as a typical Jew, but as a bad one. He finds that Shakespeare's consideration of Judaism in The Merchant of Venice provides an important contrast to Marlowe's virulent The Jew of Malta.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [191]-201) and index.