Human Rights and Duplicity in Measures in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice

Author

Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts- English Department - Cairo University

Abstract

Although William Shakespeare lived and wrote his works during the Renaissance period, his works are never time or age-specific. That fact is what makes for their universality. His themes are relatable in all ages. His characters can be easily identified with by various peoples. As a result, his works are adapted, re-interpreted, and re-appropriated all over the world up till now. Thus, this paper aims at offering a re-reading of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice in the light of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. Hence, it shows The Merchant of Venice from a different perspective. It also aims at pinpointing the duplicity in measures used by the characters when dealing with other people, a duplicity that is presented by Shakespeare as part of human nature.
 
 

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