Abstract

The short story “O Venice..!” by Ukrainian writer Borys Fynkelshteyn presents an intriguing narrative that constructs an alternative historical reality around William Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice,” exploiting metamodern approaches to seek authenticity and historical reliability. Through the lens of his own family history, Fynkelshteyn delves into a mythologized account of a Sephardi relative who was a usurer in Venice, offering a fresh perspective on the character of Shylock. It has been studied that by weaving the elements of autobiography and fiction, the author provides an exploration of the past, highlighting the subjective nature of historical interpretation and the complexity of human motivations. This approach invites readers to reconsider traditional narratives and engage with history in a more nuanced and personal way. In “O Venice..!,” Fynkelshteyn underlines the phenomenology of literary creativity and the intricacies of working with historical material, drawing on new historicism approaches to deepen the understanding of a character from Shakespeare’s play. The finding of the research is that through the use of authentic historical sources and a real-life prototype, the author highlights the evolving nature of storytelling and the enduring impact of past events on contemporary artistic creation. Fynkelshteyn’s portrayal of Shylock in “O Venice..!” challenges the traditional perception of the character as a bloodthirsty and anti-humane figure by delving into his complex psychology shaped by his Jewish upbringing and banking experience.