Believing Is Seeing: The “Lens” Metaphor in Critical Theory     Thomas L Martin Hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear someone speak of literary theories as so many lenses one pulls from the metaphorical camera bag. Or maybe they are from the optometrist’s shop as professionals select from a variety of lenses to correct our vision. In any case, figuring literary theories as lenses appears to be the metaphor that embodies a widespread understanding of the role of theory today. Before this was the critical toolbox. For several decades leading up to the appearance of the first edition of the Norton Anthology of Theory and...

The Christening of Shylock     Todd H J Pettigrew Readers of The Merchant of Venice have long viewed the forced conversion of the Jewish moneylender Shylock as the most grave injustice of the play. Though no one suggests that Shylock should be allowed to kill Antonio, and therefore Portia and the rest of the Duke are ultimately right to intervene, critics frequently argue that when Shylock, a legal “alien,” is made to publicly revoke his most deeply felt beliefs, the court has overstepped. The desire for kindness and mercy, they argue, has shown itself to be a ruse, and has quickly given way to the imposition of the worst kind...