Hamas’s attack on Israel brings to mind Grendel’s Mother, who is the archetype of perpetual blood feuds.
Tag Archives: anti-Semitism
Grendel’s Mother Attacks Israel
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Beowulf, Grendel's mother, Hamas, Israel, Oct. 7 Israel attack, Terrorism Comments closed
Rising Anti-Semitism, So Call the Golem
The Golem of Prague may be the forerunner of many comic book characters. With rising-Antisemitism, we still need him.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, comic books, Donald Trump, Fascism, golem of Prague Comments closed
An Early Poem about Leah’s Lament
A 6th century reflection on the story of Leah has her finding comfort in God, even though she is “hated” below
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Genesis, Ismar Schorsch, midrash, story of Jacob Rachel Leah, Yannai Comments closed
Chaucer Was No Sexist or Anti-Semite
In which I agree with a recent article defending Chaucer against charges of sexism and anti-Semitism.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer, Prioress' Tale, Sexism, Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale Comments closed
Life Is a Reality TV Show, My Friend
Watching “Cabaret” in the wake of the Squirrel Hill massacre accentuated the rise of anti-Semitism in American politics.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Donald Trump, Joe Masteroff, Squirrel Hill synagogue massacre Comments closed
Lit Frees Us from Our Mental Ghettos
In a fine “New Yorker” article, Shakespearean Stephen Greenblatt argues that Shakespeare was incapable to showing anything less than the full humanity of his characters, even the villains. He thereby liberates us from our “mental ghettos.”
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged cultural heritage, Humanities, Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, T. S. Eliot, William Shakespeare Comments closed
The Ugliness of Racial Resentment
“The Merchant of Venice” is a story of resentment and thus is only too relevant in today’s political landscape of inflamed passion. Those who have been victimized–or who feel that they have been victimized–are only too ready to stick it to others when they are in power.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Donald Trump, Merchant of Venice, resentment, William Shakespeare Comments closed
In Defense of The Merchant of Venice
Percy Shelley believes that great art transcends the prejudices of its time, even when it is cloaked in them. If he is right, then “Merchant of Venice” is less of a problem play than many people consider it.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Defence of Poetry, Merchant of Venice, Othello, Percy Shelley, Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare Comments closed
