Shylock's Venice: The Remarkable History of Venice's Jews and the Ghetto

The story of Venice's Jews is a fascinating part of the city's history, with the ghetto prison being as remarkable as the city itself. Harry Freedman tells the story of the Jews from the founding of the ghetto in 1516 to the capture of Venice by Napoleon in 1797, describing the remarkable cultural renaissance that took place in the ghetto. Shakespeare's Shylock is a fictional character who obscures the cultural and political revival in the Venice ghetto, but Freedman demonstrates that Shakespeare's myth is ignorant of the literary, cultural, and interfaith revival that Shylock would have experienced.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The captivating tale of the Jewish community in Venice unfolds, shedding light on the historical context behind one of Shakespeare's most iconic characters. Each year, millions of visitors flock to the enchanting city of Venice, yet many remain unaware of its rich and intricate history. Spanning a period of remarkable expansion and subsequent decline, the history of Venice's Jewish population holds a vital place in understanding the city's grandeur during its heyday.

It is in Venice that the world first encountered the concept of the ghetto. Surprisingly, the ghetto prison proved to be as remarkable as the magnificent city itself. Through the expertise of Harry Freedman, the story of Venice's Jews unfolds, spanning from the establishment of the ghetto in 1516 to the capture of Venice by Napoleon in 1797. Freedman vividly describes the remarkable cultural renaissance that took place within the confines of the Venice ghetto. Despite the imposing gates and walls, for the first time in European history, Jews and Christians engaged in intellectual discourse, shared knowledge, exchanged ideas, and embraced modernity together. The walls of the ghetto, though formidable, were permeable, allowing for a fusion of cultures.

Any account of Venice and its Jews cannot overlook the story of Shylock, the fictional character often overshadowing the cultural and political revival that thrived within the ghetto. Who was Shylock, and would the people of Venice have recognized him? Shakespeare's portrayal of Shylock reflects the attitudes prevalent in Elizabethan England toward Jews, yet as Freedman meticulously demonstrates, Shakespeare's myth fails to capture the profound literary, cultural, and interfaith revival that Shylock would have experienced.

In conclusion, the story of the Jews in Venice is a captivating testament to the resilience and cultural richness of a community that faced adversity and discrimination. Through the lens of history, we gain a deeper understanding of Venice's past and the profound impact of its Jewish population on the city's cultural and intellectual landscape. The tale of Shylock, while fictional, sheds light on the complex attitudes towards Jews in Elizabethan England and highlights the limitations of Shakespeare's portrayal. As we continue to explore the rich tapestry of history, let us remember the contributions and struggles of the Jewish community in Venice and the enduring legacy they have left behind.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 300 x 254 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399407274