The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.1726 Monday, 10 October 2005
From: Florence Amit <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Saturday, 08 Oct 2005 05:39:05 +0200
Subject: Subject: Portia's Mysterious Letter
Dear forum,
I am perfectly willing to expand upon the analogy of the Nasi -Mendes
family for the "MOV" in another essay if "Shaksper" will present it.
Surely such analogies are well known to many deeper analyses of
Shakespeare: "Hamlet"- Luther, "The Book of Job" for "Measure for
Measure" etc.
However it is also a question of interpretation regarding Portia's
Jewish affiliations and the scheme by which Shylock has a chance of
leaving a legacy to his soon to be orphaned daughter. The limited
embargo upon Antonio's ships through the influence of his affiliations
is a part of the plan put forward by Bassanio for putting pressure upon
Antonio. It is by such means that a court ruling will decide upon the
property of Shylock rather than the state bureaucracy. This historical
reality is referred to in my last posting and there are many hints of it
in the play. My interpretation of the play appears on my web site and
now on the "Shaksper" 'list serve' facility for critical advice.
("Apples of Gold Encased in Silver" - two parts) Portia's manner of
selecting a Hebrew speaking suitor is also in Shelomo Schonfeld's essay
that appears transcribed on my web site. http://tmov-caskets.org/index.htm
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