Shakespeare
The month April is significant because great dramatist Shakespeare was born in this month. Shakespeare is a unique figure in the world of literature. The more I read, the more I get from his dramas.
Though I strongly claim myself to be one of the millions of admirers of Shakespeare, yet I do not hesitate to express disagreement with him. Especially, his treatment of Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice” was too harsh. There is no doubt that the predicament of Shylock was portrayed vividly but at the end of the play, he was almost forcefully converted to another religion. Apparently, Antonio, another character of the drama, seems to be the “hero” that I can never accept. I do not find any heroic quality in this man. The way he treated Shylock, he really deserves punishment. None but only an ugly-headed villain can behave in this way. After reading the book, one question is born in my mind which I could not ask anyone before. Is Shakespeare an orthodox person? Our Sharat Chandra too wrote a short story named “Mahesh” which was a plea for religious tolerance. Here the protagonist is Gafur. Though innocent Gafur also suffered a lot yet we can find a strong sympathy of the writer for this man. But Shakespeare could not express his fullest sympathy for Shylock.
Moreover, there is another ground for my discontent towards him. Many characters of Shakespeare commit suicide. I only understand that suicide is a great sin.
Whatever it may be, Shakespeare is great.
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