a word from our sponsors
See the new shakespeare.com. This feature, while it still provides useful information, is no longer maintained.
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help
Just because Sh uses racism as a (very effective) plot device, doesn't mean that he was a racist. Nor does it mean that he wasn't.
Back in the dark ages I was on a panel in 8th grade English class that attempted to determine if he was anti-semitic based on the Merchant of Venice. Naturally, we concluded nothing, only that he was a man of his time nad perhps not immune to the prejudices and seterotypes of his time and willing to use them to advance a plot. He may,in fact, have actually seen Jewish money lenders on the Rialto (may even have borrowed from them) - but that tells us nothing provable about his attitude toward Jews.
There are four "black" characters in Sh, and none of them makes a compelling case for whatever racial view you wish to ascribe to him.Posted by JTJ on March 25, 1997 at 08:08:13
In Reply to "Regarding Othello, does anyone think Shakespeare was a racist? Why or why not?" posted by Rebecca McLean on March 24, 1997 at 15:31:07
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help