Abstract
The Merchant of Venice has lost none of its force with the passage of time. The central character is immediately identifiable by appearance, speech and manner as a member of an alien race, representing a minority-group culture and religion. However, Shakespeare did not conceive this play in order to advance our modern cause of racial equality. The Elizabethans were not noted for their tolerance.
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© 1988 A. M. Kinghorn
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Kinghorn, A.M. (1988). The Historical Background of the Play. In: The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Macmillan Master Guides. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09534-6_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09534-6_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-44251-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-09534-6
eBook Packages: Palgrave Literature & Performing Arts CollectionLiterature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)