Merchant Of Venice: Arden
Author(s): Drakakis
The Merchant of Venice is perhaps most associated not with its titular hero, Antonio, but with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The play was described as a comedy in the First Folio but its modern audiences find it more problematic to categorise. The vilification of Shylock 'the Jew' can be very uncomfortable for a post-holocaust audience and debates continue as to whether Shakespeare's portrayal of this complex man is sympathetic or anti-semitic. John Drakakis' comprehensive introduction traces the stage history of the figure of the Jew and looks boldly at twenty-first century issues surrounding it. He also explores other themes of the play such as father/daughter relations, the power of money and the forceful character of Portia, to offer readers an energetic, original and revelatory reading of this challenging play.
Product Information
A major new edition of this much-studied and performed play Comprehensive, illustrated Introduction gives full critical and stage histories of the play and opens up new readings Detailed on-page Commentary and textual notes enhance the reader's understanding
John Drakakis is Professor of English Studies at the University of Stirling, Scotland.
General Fields
- :
- : Bloomsbury
- : THE ARDEN SHAKESPEARE
- : 0.431
- : April 2011
- : 198mm X 129mm X 24mm
- : February 2011
- : books
Special Fields
- : Drakakis
- : Paperback
- : 1
- : 822.33
- : 20 in Introduction