REVISITING THE USURER: THE PORTRAYAL OF SHYLOCK AS AN AFFECTIONATE FATHER IN HOWARD JACOBSON'S SHYLOCK IS MY NAME

This article aims to re-interpret the figure of Shylock in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice by exploring how its novel rewriting by Howard Jacobson provides a more positive portrayal of the Jewish usurer. I attempt to argue that Jacobson's Shylock Is My Name contributes to re-reading Shylock as a thoughtful father who truly loves his daughter Jessica. Indeed, this 21st-century retelling revolves around the connection between Shylock and Simon Strulovitch, a Jewish philanthropist who has also been neglected by his daughter. The novel presents Shylock as a trustworthy character that is determined to help his friend create an emotional bond with his daughter. Moreover, Jacobson succeeds in empowering Shakespeare's Shylock to such an extent that he evolves from being an underdog in Venice to being widely respected by English society. As regards methodology, I have used the rhizomatic model proposed by Douglas Lanier with the purpose of exploring the enriching dialogue between the source text and this rewriting.