The Merchant of Venice

Elise Thoron's modern translation of "The Merchant of Venice" delves into contemporary issues of social justice and systemic racism, retaining the power of the original iambic pentameter while providing a fresh perspective for modern audiences. Part of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Play On! project, this translation aims to make Shakespeare's works accessible and relevant to a new generation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 130 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2021
Publisher: Arizona Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies,US

Elise Thoron's masterful translation of Shakespeare's iconic The Merchant of Venice takes us on a profound journey into the heart of contemporary issues of social justice and systemic racism. Through her clear and compelling contemporary verse translation, Thoron preserves the power of the original iambic pentameter while enabling readers and audiences to fully comprehend and deeply engage with the brutal dilemmas that unfolded in Shakespeare's Venice. Drawing upon her extensive experience in creating music-theater works focused on the Jewish experience and her work directing cross-cultural projects in diverse locations such as Russia, Japan, Cuba, and New York City, Thoron infuses her Merchant with an immediacy that resonates directly with our ongoing reckoning with race in America.

This translation is a remarkable achievement as part of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Play On! project, which aimed to commission new translations of thirty-nine Shakespeare plays. These translations strive to make Shakespeare's works accessible to modern audiences while preserving the beauty of his verse. By presenting these works in print for the first time, this new First Folio emerges as a testament to the timeless relevance and power of Shakespeare's writing in a new era.

Elise Thoron's translation of The Merchant of Venice is a testament to her talent and dedication to bringing Shakespeare's works to a wider audience. Her translation allows us to re-examine the timeless themes of prejudice, privilege, and the consequences of our actions, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality. As we navigate the complexities of our contemporary world, Thoron's translation provides us with a valuable tool for understanding and addressing the challenges we face.

Weight: 160g
Dimension: 127 x 198 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780866986809