Folklore as a Pedagogical Tool: Enhancing Cultural Awareness in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Folklore as a Pedagogical Tool: Enhancing Cultural Awareness in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.
Authors:	Uddin, Mohammad Jashim¹, Alam, K. Amed², Talukder, Md. Zakir Hossain³
Source:	Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education. 2025, Vol. 14 Issue 3, p109-120. 22p.
Subject Terms:	Cultural pluralism, Cultural awareness, Critical thinking, Educational literature, *Empathy, Consciousness raising, Folklore
Reviews & Products:	Merchant of Venice, The (Play : Shakespeare)
Abstract:	In this paper, we investigate the role of folklore as a pedagogical tool in enhancing cultural awareness and critical engagement through Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. The study highlights how these motifs shape character motivations, thematic structures, and societal dynamics within the play by analyzing key folkloric elements such as myths, superstitions, and cultural narratives. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research explores the cultural tensions, prejudices, and values of the Renaissance period and examines their relevance to contemporary societal issues. Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as folklore theory, cultural pedagogy, and critical identity theory, the study demonstrates how integrating folklore into educational practices fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a nuanced understanding of cultural diversity. The findings reveal the transformative potential of folklore-based pedagogy in creating critically engaged learners and underline Shakespeare's enduring value in addressing themes of prejudice, identity, and cultural inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	In this paper, we investigate the role of folklore as a pedagogical tool in enhancing cultural awareness and critical engagement through Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. The study highlights how these motifs shape character motivations, thematic structures, and societal dynamics within the play by analyzing key folkloric elements such as myths, superstitions, and cultural narratives. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research explores the cultural tensions, prejudices, and values of the Renaissance period and examines their relevance to contemporary societal issues. Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as folklore theory, cultural pedagogy, and critical identity theory, the study demonstrates how integrating folklore into educational practices fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a nuanced understanding of cultural diversity. The findings reveal the transformative potential of folklore-based pedagogy in creating critically engaged learners and underline Shakespeare's enduring value in addressing themes of prejudice, identity, and cultural inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	21662681
DOI:	10.32674/hmy1cp80