The precise date for the composition of Shakespeare’s "The Merchant of Venice" is unknown (Cerasano 97), but it must have been written “sometime between 1596 and 1598” (Gross 19). It was first printed in 1600 (Cerasano 2), with the title: “The most excellent History of the Merchant of Venice. With the extreame crueltie of Shylocke the Iewe towards the sayd Merchant, in cutting a iust pound of his fleshe: and the obtayning of Portia by the choyse of three chests. As it hath beene divers times acted by the Lord Chamberlaine his servants” (Alexander 8). This title might give the one or other reader food for thought. It implies that Shakespeare’s contemporaries must have seen the play, especially the character Shylock, “in dissimilar terms” from us nowadays (Cerasano 55).
The following work will shed some light on the changes in reception and interpretation of "The Merchant of Venice", which have developed from the time of its creation until today, which is an absolutely natural process, as “texts change with time and audience” (Alexander 90). To get to the bottom of these changes, especially the character Shylock and the attitudes of the audiences of the different centuries towards him have to be brought into focus. This work will show in what ways these attitudes and thus the reception have changed and where these changes derive from.
In addition to that, a selection of suggestions made by twentieth-century critics for interpreting the play, as it might have been meant to be by Shakespeare, will be introduced. His underlying intention has been debated over very much, which has given rise to an abundance of divergent interpretations, especially about how Shylock has to be assessed and how Shakespeare himself saw him. To find answers, we have to enter “into Elizabethan attitudes and beliefs” and theatrical conventions which have influenced him, because “an author can only be properly understood in the context of his own times” (Gross 181) and “the more knowledge […] we bring to it the richer our reading is likely to be” (Moody 20).
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Shylock
- 2.1 Characterisation and Attitudes towards him
- 2.2 The Conflict between Shylock and the Christians
- 2.3 Performance History and Reception
- 3. Socio-Historical Background
- 3.1 Religious Attitudes
- 3.2 Commercial Attitudes
- 3.3 Jews in Venice
- 4. Shakespeare's Background
- 4.1 Shakespeare and Jews
- 4.2 Shakespeare's Attitude towards his Shylock
- 6. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to examine the evolving reception and interpretation of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, focusing particularly on the character of Shylock and the changing attitudes towards him throughout history. It seeks to understand how these shifts in perception are rooted in the socio-historical context of the play's creation and subsequent performances.
- The characterization of Shylock and the multifaceted portrayal of his personality.
- The conflict between Shylock and the Christian characters, highlighting the societal prejudices and antisemitism of the time.
- The changing interpretations of Shylock across performance history and critical analysis.
- The socio-historical context of Elizabethan England, including religious and commercial attitudes towards Jews.
- Shakespeare's own possible intentions and attitudes toward Shylock and the play's themes.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the timeframe of The Merchant of Venice's composition (between 1596 and 1598) and its first publication in 1600. It highlights the title's suggestive nature, implying a potentially different understanding of Shylock among Shakespeare's contemporaries compared to modern audiences. The chapter lays the groundwork for the analysis by emphasizing the dynamic relationship between texts, time, and audience interpretation, focusing on the evolving perceptions of Shylock. It also previews the study's intention to investigate these changes and explore the diverse critical interpretations of Shakespeare's intentions regarding Shylock's character and role within the play.
2. Shylock: This chapter provides an overview of the character of Shylock, his dominance within the play despite limited stage presence, and the subsequent detailed analyses of his characterization, conflict with Christian characters, and performance history. It acts as a guide to the following subchapters, outlining the scope of the investigation into Shylock's complex portrayal.
2.1 Characterisation and Attitudes towards him: This section delves into the character traits attributed to Shylock, such as hatred of Christians, pride in his Jewish identity, and shrewd financial acumen. It examines the linguistic markers used to distinguish him, including his use of Hebrew names and Old Testament references, creating a sense of separate ethnic and religious identity. The section also explores how Shakespeare portrays Shylock as pointedly anti-Christian, and the audience's perception of his behavior as contradictory and inconsistent. It details the shift in his portrayal, from a simple villain to a figure evoking pity due to his suffering and mistreatment. However, his greed and thirst for revenge are also highlighted, demonstrating a complex and multifaceted personality.
3. Socio-Historical Background: This chapter sets the stage by exploring the religious, commercial, and social contexts surrounding Jews in Elizabethan Venice. It would examine the prevalent antisemitic sentiments of the era, providing crucial background for understanding the societal biases reflected in the play and influencing the portrayal of Shylock and the reactions of the Christian characters.
4. Shakespeare's Background: This chapter focuses on Shakespeare's personal background and potential influences shaping his depiction of Shylock. It delves into Shakespeare's own knowledge of Jewish culture and beliefs, and his potential attitudes toward Jews and the subject matter of the play. This section would analyze the available evidence to offer insight into Shakespeare's perspective, possibly explaining his complex portrayal of Shylock and the nuances of the play's themes.
Keywords
Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, antisemitism, Elizabethan England, Jewish identity, religious prejudice, commercial practices, performance history, literary criticism, character analysis, socio-historical context.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of *The Merchant of Venice*
What is this document?
This document is a comprehensive language preview for an academic analysis of Shakespeare's *The Merchant of Venice*. It provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The information is intended for academic use, focusing on analyzing the themes of the play in a structured and professional manner.
What topics are covered in the analysis of *The Merchant of Venice*?
The analysis focuses on the character of Shylock, exploring his characterization, the conflicts he faces with Christian characters, and the changing interpretations of his role throughout performance history and critical analysis. It also delves into the socio-historical context of Elizabethan England, including religious and commercial attitudes towards Jews, and explores Shakespeare's own potential intentions and attitudes towards Shylock and the play's themes.
What are the main chapters and their focus?
The analysis is structured into several chapters: An introduction setting the scene; a chapter dedicated to Shylock, including sub-sections on his characterization, his conflicts, and performance history; a chapter on the socio-historical background in Elizabethan England concerning religious and commercial attitudes towards Jews; a chapter on Shakespeare's background and potential influences; and a conclusion. Each chapter offers in-depth analysis of its respective topic.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the characterization of Shylock and the multifaceted portrayal of his personality; the conflict between Shylock and the Christian characters, highlighting societal prejudices and antisemitism; the changing interpretations of Shylock across performance history and critical analysis; the socio-historical context of Elizabethan England, including religious and commercial attitudes towards Jews; and Shakespeare's own possible intentions and attitudes toward Shylock and the play's themes.
What is the objective of this academic work?
The work aims to examine the evolving reception and interpretation of Shakespeare's *The Merchant of Venice*, particularly focusing on Shylock and the changing attitudes towards him throughout history. It seeks to understand how these shifts in perception are rooted in the socio-historical context of the play's creation and subsequent performances.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Shakespeare, *The Merchant of Venice*, Shylock, antisemitism, Elizabethan England, Jewish identity, religious prejudice, commercial practices, performance history, literary criticism, character analysis, and socio-historical context.
What does the chapter on Shylock cover?
The chapter on Shylock provides a detailed analysis of his character, his interactions with Christian characters, and the evolution of his portrayal throughout performance history. It examines the multifaceted nature of his personality, highlighting both his negative traits (greed, revenge) and the aspects that evoke pity (suffering, mistreatment).
What is the significance of the socio-historical background chapter?
The chapter on the socio-historical background is crucial because it provides context for understanding the antisemitic sentiments prevalent in Elizabethan England. This context is essential for interpreting the societal biases reflected in the play and influencing the portrayal of Shylock and the reactions of the Christian characters.
What does the chapter on Shakespeare's background explore?
This chapter investigates Shakespeare's personal background and potential influences on his depiction of Shylock, examining his knowledge of Jewish culture and beliefs, and analyzing his potential attitudes toward Jews and the play's themes. It aims to offer insights into Shakespeare's perspective to explain the complex portrayal of Shylock.
- Citar trabajo
- Miriam Weinmann (Autor), 2008, Shakespeare's Shylock and attitudes towards him in socio-historical context, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/93563
