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 
  

_______________________________________________________________
S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The S H A K S P E R Web Site <http://www.shaksper.net>

DISCLAIMER: Although SHAKSPER is a moderated discussion list, the opinions expressed 
on it are the sole property of the poster, and the editor assumes no responsibility 
for them.

Subscribe to Our Feeds

Search

Make a Gift to SHAKSPER

Consider making a gift to support SHAKSPER.