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Shakespeare and Anti-Semitism. Shylock and the Merchant of Venice. Through their control of cultural institutions such as museums, under the Reich Chamber of Culture the Nazis created new opportunities to disseminate anti-Jewish propaganda.
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Shakespeare and Anti-Semitism Shylock and the Merchant of Venice
Through their control of cultural institutions such as museums, under the Reich Chamber of Culture the Nazis created new opportunities to disseminate anti-Jewish propaganda. Most notably, performances of a show entitled Der ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew) attracted 412,300 visitors, more than 5,000 per day, during its run at the Bavarian Theater in Munich from November 1937 to January 1938. The Nazis also associated Jews with "degenerate art," the subject of a companion exhibition seen by two million people from 1937-39.
Exploiting pre-existing images and stereotypes, Nazi propagandists portrayed Jews as an "alien race" that fed off the host nation, poisoned its culture, seized its economy, and enslaved people. This hateful depiction, although neither new nor unique to the Nazi Party, defined the scapegoat in the Holocaust. BUT WERE OTHER NATIONS GUILTY TOO?
William the Conqueror in 1066 was the first one who brought Jews to England. During this time period, Jews were experiencing pogroms in Europe and being blamed for the kidnapping of Christian children.
The Jewish community of merchants and money lenders formed an uneasy relationship with the English crown and people. Medieval Jews were considered to be the king's property, and received certain protection, despite ruthless exploitation of their finances by the crown. However, their religious beliefs created suspicion that resulted in frequent persecution.
One of the main charges leveled against the Jews was that they were participating in Blood Libel sacrifices of Christian children, seen here in this medieval woodcutting. Golem of Prague, the creation of life, and Jewish mysticism.
This is a cartoon that appeared in the mainstream Arabic press in 2012 referencing the Blood Libel myth. Even today, this propaganda has power to influence others.
Edward I expelled the Jews from England in 1290. At that time, it is estimated that there were about 3,000 Jews in England, but they did contribute a great deal to the economy since they were usurers (money-lenders).
USURY: A sin "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." —Matthew 5:42 "And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." —Luke 6:34-35
When Shakespeare is born in 1564, there are no Jews left in England.
In 1594, Dr. Roderigo Lopez, a Jewish Portuguese doctor serving Queen Elizabeth was accused of trying to poison her and so the subsequent trial and hanging of the Jewish doctor caused a huge deal in London at the time that Shakespeare was writing the play. The question then becomes…was Shakespeare Anti-Semitic? You draw the conclusion from the play…
In 1655, under the rule of Oliver Cromwell, a group of Jews were found living in England and secretly practicing their faith. They were allowed to remain in the country, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that there were official laws passed allowing Jews to live in the country.
Portia The Marriage Prince of Morocco Prince of Arragon Bassanio
Act I Shylock Antonio
