Session Three
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This document discusses how New Historicism and Cultural Materialism approaches analyze William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice. New Historicism seeks to understand the play in the context of Shakespeare's time and views him as reflecting the political institutions of the era. Cultural Materialism uses Shakespeare's plays to influence current politics and believes the meaning of his works depends on the current cultural context, rejecting the idea that culture is fixed or unchangeable.
Session Three
- 1. William Shakespeare and The Merchant of Venice
- 2. New Historicism & Cultural Materialism
- 3. New Historicism Shakespeare a product of his culture Understand the plays in the time and context in which they were written
- 4. New Historicism Shakespeare politically quietist “ Subject overpowered by political institutions” Contested ritually in order to consolidate itself
- 5. New Historicism Literature is inseparable from history and other political writings
- 6. Cultural Materialism Use Shakespeare’s plays to change the current political situation
- 7. Cultural Materialism How Shakespeare’s plays signify depends on the cultural field in which they are situated
- 8. Cultural Materialism Rejects “mystification”: The cultural passed off as natural and hence unalterable
- 9. Cultural Materialism Change is possible