Shakespeare, The Orient, And The Critics eBook

Previous criticism has not adequately discussed oriental aspects of the content of Shakespearean drama. In addition to his portrayal of oriental figures (such as Cleopatra, Othello, and Shylock) and his use of literary genres and motifs that have roots in oriental tradition (such as that of the tragic romance inRomeo and Juliet, there are certain key elements in Shakespeares thought and outlook that can only be properly understood within the larger contribution of the oriental legacy. This legacy has clear relevance not only to the exemplary fate of the lovers inRomeo and Juliet, but also to the destinies of such major Shakespearean heroes as Hamlet and Lear.Shakespeare, the Orient, and the Critics investigates the boundaries of oriental framework within works such asHamlet, King Lear, andThe Tempest. Stylistically, at the heart of Shakespeares orientalism are two long-recognized features of his dramatic art: his predilection for reversing stereotypes and his sympathy and identification with the alien and the «other.» This can be most clearly seen in the love tragedies ofOthello andAnthony and Cleopatra as well as the romantic comedy ofThe Merchant of Venice. Ultimately, the philosophic underpinning of such works is a special expression of Renaissance humanism that transcends the boundaries of class, race, and culture.