Abstract

In the introduction, Dadabhoy begins by questioning Shakespeare’s engagement with Islam, asking, “What does Shakespeare say about Islam?” Here, Dadabhoy observes that references to and representations of Muslim characters in Shakespeare’s works are minimal and often limited to marginal figures, such as the Prince of Morocco in The Merchant of Venice and Othello. Dadabhoy argues that the erasure and marginalization of Islamic culture in Shakespeare’s works reflect a broader European tendency to exclude non-European and non-Christian narratives from their worldview. This is not only about the absence of Muslim characters but also about how the Islamic world is often ignored or negatively portrayed in European literature and culture. For Dadabhoy, this erasure is part of a broader cultural strategy to reinforce European identity and superiority.