The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 21.0451 Wednesday, 17 November 2010
[1] From: Joseph Egert <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: November 11, 2010 5:41:55 PM EST
Subj: Re: SHK 21.0433 Shylock the unChristian
[2] From: Joseph Egert <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: November 11, 2010 5:41:55 PM EST
Subj: Re: SHK 21.0433 Shylock the unChristian
[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Joseph Egert <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: November 11, 2010 5:41:55 PM EST
Subject: 21.0433 Shylock the unChristian
Comment: Re: SHK 21.0433 Shylock the unChristian
In his response to Stephen Greenblatt's (9/30/2010) NYRB review, "Shakespeare &
Shylock", David Bishop writes:
>"Spitting was not quite the disgusting act it seems to us"
Does Bishop believe Anthonio, like Jesus, was aiming at Shylock's eyes to cure him
of his blindness?
David goes on, "An unconverted Shylock would also be in danger of Gratiano's lynch
mob".
But wouldn't a converted Shylock be in even greater danger from the Inquisition?
David Basch, unpersuaded by Bishop's letter, notes: "Antonio has interceded in
Shylock's business transactions and prevented Shylock the due he bargained for".
I don't follow. What bargain 'due' Shylock did Anthonio prevent?
John Drakakis, following Stephen Orgel, believes "the name 'Shylock' is not Jewish
at all but English." Why would Shakespeare, so careful in Biblically naming others
of Shylock's tribe, exempt this Jewish archenemy?
(Also, I still wonder if Dr D agrees with his predecessor Brown that the 'red wine'
in III.1 applies to Jessica, and the 'rhenish' to Shylock?)
Curious,
Joe Egert
[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: William Godshalk <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: November 11, 2010 5:55:40 PM EST
Subject: 21.0433 Shylock the unChristian
Comment: RE: SHK 21.0433 Shylock the unChristian
Shylock is merely words on a page. John Drakakis thinks "we should really direct our attention to
the process of myth-making that these figures represent as a means of understanding late
Elizabethan and early Jacobean prejudices." I am of course not disputing John's right to project
his interpretation on to the text, but I would not look to Shylock for insight into early modern
prejudices and myth making. Playwrights, as we all know, are out-and-out liars. And Shakespeare
did not have an advanced degree in sociology.
Bill
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