Tag Archives: anti-Semitism

Grendel’s Mother Attacks Israel

By Robin Bates | Published: October 9, 2023

Hamas’s attack on Israel brings to mind Grendel’s Mother, who is the archetype of perpetual blood feuds.

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Rising Anti-Semitism, So Call the Golem

By Robin Bates | Published: October 5, 2023

The Golem of Prague may be the forerunner of many comic book characters. With rising-Antisemitism, we still need him.

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An Early Poem about Leah’s Lament

By Robin Bates | Published: July 29, 2023

A 6th century reflection on the story of Leah has her finding comfort in God, even though she is “hated” below

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Chaucer Was No Sexist or Anti-Semite

By Robin Bates | Published: August 9, 2021

In which I agree with a recent article defending Chaucer against charges of sexism and anti-Semitism.

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Shakespeare Hated Bullies

By Robin Bates | Published: February 5, 2019

Tuesday Last week a reader accused me of anti-Semitism for defending Merchant of Venice. While I’m always willing to learn new things about myself—personally, I think I have more trace elements in my system of sexism, racism, classism, homophobia, and ableism than of anti-Semitism—the response sent me back to early recollections of the play. For […]

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Life Is a Reality TV Show, My Friend

By Robin Bates | Published: October 29, 2018

Watching “Cabaret” in the wake of the Squirrel Hill massacre accentuated the rise of anti-Semitism in American politics.

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Lit Frees Us from Our Mental Ghettos

By Robin Bates | Published: July 7, 2017

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.”

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The Ugliness of Racial Resentment

By Robin Bates | Published: February 21, 2017

“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.

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In Defense of The Merchant of Venice

By Robin Bates | Published: October 18, 2016

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.

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