【最新word论文】《威尼斯商人》中的人物形象分析【英美文字专业论文】

【最新word论文】《威尼斯商人》中的人物形象分析【英美文字专业论文】 《威尼斯商人》中的人物形象分析 Abstract AsweknownthatthemerchantofVeniceisoneofShakespeare’ smostimportantworks.Itisacomedy.Thethemeofthisplayistoextolkindheartedness,friendshipandlove.Andalsoitreflectstheconflictsbetweenthecapitalistsandusurersatthebeginningofthecapitalistsociety.Anditexpressestheauthor’ shumanistideaonmoney,lawandreligionincapitalistsociety.Thisthesisanalyzesthemainfiguresintheplaybyusingindependentandcontrastways.Itshowstheheavilyflavorofhumanismatthebeginningofcapitalistsociety;andexpressessomethoughtsforsocietyandhumanbeing.ThethesisalsomakesahardcriticismtoShylock,whoisarepresentativeoffeudalism,andputsaheavyhumanismonPortia.Itdisplaysthethoughtsoffeudalismpersonalityliberation,andstressingthegreatbreakthroughofwoman’ sstatusandfeminineconsciousnessinElizabethanera. KeyWords Characteranalyzing;humanism;personalityliberation;womenconsciousness 摘要 众所周知，《威尼斯商人》是莎士比亚著名喜剧之一。该剧的主 题 快递公司问题件快递公司问题件货款处理关于圆的周长面积重点题型关于解方程组的题及答案关于南海问题 被定义为对 善良、友谊和爱情的颂扬。本剧不但反映了资本主义早期资产阶级同高利贷者间 的矛盾冲突，也揭示了作者对资本主义社会金钱、法律和宗教信仰的人文主义观 点。本论文采用了个案分析法以及对比分析法对该剧的主要人物形象作了一一剖 析，展示了资本主义萌芽时期人文主义的浓厚气息，表达了莎士比亚对社会、对 人类生活的反思，并寄以自己的理想。课题对封建旧势力的代表——夏洛克作了 无情的批判，而对形象鲜明、富有光彩的鲍西娅则添上了浓厚的人文主义理想色 彩。文章彰显了女性个性解放，突显了文艺复兴时期伊丽莎白当权期，女性地位、 意识的重大突破。 关键词 人物分析;人文主义思想;个性解放;女性意识 Introduction TheMerchantofVeniceisoneoftheShakespeare’ sfamouscomediesinhisearlytime.It’ sthemeistoextolkindness,friendshipandlove.ItisthemirrorofthecontradictionbetweenbusinessbourgeoisandusureratthebeginningoftheCapitalistsociety.It’salsoexpressedtheauthor’ shumanismideasonmoney,lawandreligioninthissociety.There,wementionHumanism--themaindistinguishingfeatureofthatperiod,alsothebrightnesscharacteristicwhichisshownfromtheimportantroleinthisplay. 1 Inthisthesis,theauthorintroducesthebackgroundoftheplayfirstly.Readingtheplay,wecanknowthatthesocialbackgroundintheplayisaccordingwiththerealsociety.Weknowatthattime,thesocietywasundertheleadershipofElizabethwhowasthesymbolofpowerinEngland.Nextthethesisgivesanintroductionofthemainfiguresintheplay.Antonioisrichandkindhearted.Fromhimwecanseethespiritofhumanism.Portiaplaysthemostimportantpartintheplay.Thethesistalksabouthercharacter,herhobbies,andherattitudeofloveandtheinnermeaning-humanismofthisfigure.Sheisthecenterofallthesefigurestheplayrefersto.Humanismisanideologicalweaponforcapitalismtofightthefeudalismcombat,andalsoitisthecoreideaofcapitalismadvanced-literatureinRenaissance,anditscombatreferstotheidealofFeudalisminMiddleAge,especiallythereligionbeliefofCatholics.Afterthat,thethesisgivesmoredetailsabouttheinformationmentionedabove.Thenthethesiscomparesthefigurestogiveahighlightofthehumanismspirit. ?.SocialBackgroundofthePlaytheMerchantofVenice Asisknown,Englandisadevelopedcountry.Today,italsoobtainsveryimportantstatusintheworld.ItisverynecessarytotalkaboutthehistoryofthegrowthofcapitalisminEngland,especiallyin16thcentury. A.TheSocialInformationinElizabethThrone HenryVIIIdiedin1547andhisnine-year-oldsonsucceededhim.Thesonwaskno wninhistory,Edward?.Theboy-king’ sreignwasatimeofextremeProtestantism,fortheRegencyCouncilforhimconsistedalmostentirelyoftheprotestantfaction.Edward? diedin1553.only15yearsold.Thenhishalf-sister,Mary,aCatholic,becameQueen.ThenewQueencametothethroneattheageoftwenty-five.Afterthecoronation,herparliamentpassedthenecessarylegislationtoabolishthepapalsupremacyoverthechurch,andgaveElizabethallthepowersoverthechurchwhichherfatherhadheld,thoughwiththemoremodesttitleof“SupremeGovernment” oftheChurchofEnglandinsteadof“SupremeHead” Elizabethdiedon24March,1603attheageofsixty-nine.Herforty-four-yearreignhadnotonlyensuredthetriumphofProtestantisminBritainandinNorthernEurope,buthadgreatlyincreasedthewealth,powerandprestigeofEngland.HernavytriumphedoverthegreatArmadaofthekingofSpain;hersailors’ circumnavigatedtheworld,andestablishedacolonyontheNorthAmericancontinentwhichtheynamedVirginiaaftertheirvirginqueen.Athome,themerchantswereprosperous;thecommonpeopleenjoyedahigherstandardoflivingthaninmostotherEuropeancountries,andherreignwasalsofullofachievementsinliteratureandotherarts.Afterall,Elizabeth? wasoneofthemostsuccessfuldespotstogovernEnglandinEnglishhistory.?(李 超,邓兴义:34-37) B.SpecialSocialBackgroundReflectingintheMerchantofVenice TheMerchantofVeniceisoneofthefamouscomedyplayswrittenbyShakespeare 2 inhisearlytime.Thethemeofthisplayistoextolkindness,friendshipandlove.Itisthemirrorofthecontradictionbetweenbusinessbourgeoisandusureratthebeginningofcapitalistsociety.It’salsoexpressedtheauthor’ shumanismideasonmoney,lawandreligioninthissociety.There,wementionHumanism--themaindistinguishingfeatureofthatperiod,alsothebrightnesscharacteristicwhichisshownfromtheimportantrolesinthisplay.But,whatis“humanism”?HumanismistheideologicalweaponofbourgeoistofightfeudalismatRenaissance,isalsothecoreideaofthebourgeois’ advanced-literatureinthistime.BedirectedagainsttheworldoutlookofMedievalfeudalismisthespearheadofstruggle,especiallythereligionbeliefofCatholicism.ChurchreferstoGodasthecentreofcosmos.AttheheartoftheRenaissancephilosophyistheassertionofthegreatnessofman.AndtheelementsofHumanismaretoestablishthecentralstatusofhuman,theirdignityandvalue,toadvocatethespiritofrationalismandscienceandtoprotestthesupremeroleofGodadmiredinMiddleAges. ShakespearewasamanofthelateRenaissancewhogavethefullestexpressiontohumanistideas.TheMerchantofVeniceisoneoftheimportantworkswhichfinishedintheFirstFloweringperiodofEnglishLiterature.Inthisplay,heroesandheroinesfightfortheirownideasandmouldtheirownlifeaccordingtotheirownfreewillandbringusintohappyandidealworldwithsinging,dancing,harmonywithnatureandfreedomfromthevicesoftheworld. ?.AnalyzingtheHeroesinthePlay Inthisplay,Shakespeareportraysmanyroles.Theproportionthatmalefigurestakingismuchmorenotablethanfemale’ s.So,it'snecessarytonarrateanddisplaytheirnaturecharacterandsymbol. A.Antonio Althoughtheplay’ stitlereferstohim,Antonioisaratherlacklustercharacter.HeemergesinAct?,scene? asahopelessdepressive,someonewhocannotnamethesourceofhismelancholyandwho,throughoutthecourseoftheplay,devolvesintoaself-pityinglump,unabletomustertheenergyrequiredtodefendhimselfagainstexecution.Antonionevernamesthecauseofhismelancholy,buttheevidenceseemstopointtohisbeinginlove,andthemostlikelyobjectofhisaffectionisBassanio. Antoniohasriskedtheentiretyofhisfortuneonoverseatradingventures,yetheagreestoguaranteethepotentiallylethalloanBassaniosecuresfromShylock.Heiswillingtoofferupapoundofflesh,signifyingaunionthatgrotesquelyalludestotheriteofmarriage,wheretwopartnersbecome “oneflesh”.FurtherevidenceofthenatureofAntonio’ sfeelingsforBassanioappearslaterintheplay,whenAntonio’ sproclamationsresonatewiththehyperboleandself-satisfactionofadoomedlover’sdeclaration: “prayGodBassaniocome/Toseemepayhisdebt,andthenIcarenot”?(Act ?,SceneIII,35-36)withoutamate,heisindeedthe“taintedwether”— 3 orcastratedram— oftheflock,andhewilllikelyreturntohisfavoritepastimeofmopingaboutthestreetsofVenice?(Act ?,SceneI,113).Afterall,hehaseffectivelydisabledhimselffrompursuinghidhobby—abusingShylock— byinsistingthattheJewconverttoChristianity.Althougha16thcenturyaudiencemighthaveseenthisdemandasmerciful,asShylockissavinghimselffrometernaldamnationbyconverting,wearelesslikelytobeconvinced.NotonlydoesAntonio’ sreputationasananti-Semiteprecedehim,buttheonlyinstanceintheplaywhenhebreaksoutofhisdoldrumsinhis“storm”againstShylock?(Act ?,SceneIII,132).Inthisplay,Antonioproveshischaracterismelancholy,crueltyandsomeseldomsaying—homosexual. B.Bassanio ItissaidMiddleAgesisthemostdeathlystillnessperiodinEurope.Italsocanbeseemedit’sthetimethatwestEurope’ scultureandliteraturegotograve.Astothepillarofspirit,thereisnothingexceptatotalseriesofreligiousdoctrine.Inthisenvironment,peopleusedcomplimentandboastwordstoexchangetheirmindsandthoughts.Inthatsociety,everyoneremainunderartificialmaskwanderedindifferentkindsofoccasion.Anabsolutelyundisguisedmoneyrelationshipmakesthetruehumannatureintoashduringthemasksscrapedeachother.Bassanio,anoblewhoisneatlydressed,whosespeechanddeportmentisnaturalandgraceful,graduallybecomesadecliningaristocratbyspendingwithoutrestraint.Heisahandsomeandintelligentyoungman.Butlivinginsuchasociety,whathiseveryday’ sscheduleistosquandermoneyondifferentmeetinganduseblandishmentspeechtotalkwithotheraristocrat.Hispropertyislimitation.Onceherunsbehindhisexpenses,hewillaskhisbestfriend—thewealthmerchantinVenice— Antonioformoney.Fromthecontext,itseemsheneverreturnedwhatheborrowed.Tobesuchamanwhowantsofloftyaspiration.Maybethebestmethodfreeshimselffrompovertyistogetaprofitablemarriage.Andwemostlycanmakesure;toobtainmoneyismoreimportantthantomarryPortia.Thiscanbeimprovedinlater— hegiveshisbride’ sringtotheclerk.Althoughhisloverhasdeclaredthatifhelosesherring,shewillneverpardonhim. C.Shylock Shylockinthisplayistheantagonist.Heisthemodelofusurer.Mostpeoplereadhimasabogeyman,aclownishJewishstereotype.Heisselfish,curtly,avariciousandniggard.Oncehehasthechancetorevengehisfoe.Hewilltryhisbesttomaketheotherintodeathtrap.Inthecourt,heisclamandwisdom,evenfightsforseveralChristian’sjointattack.Butmostofhisspeechiscoarse,andsometimes“mean”.Allofthismakespeopletakeunkindlytohim.ButwiththeseveralaspectssagaciouswithAntonio,itmakeshimbeamult-personalityfigure.BeingapaganwholivesinChristiansocietyhehasstrongemotiononracialconstrictionandtheenthusiasmofraisingJewishpeople’ 4 sstatus.Livinginthissociety,hesufferstoomuchpublichumiliationandoppressionashesaysinthefollowing: “Hehathdisgracedme,andhinder’ dmehalfamillion;laughtatmyloss,mocktatmygains,scorn’ dmynation,thwartedmybargains,cooledmyfriends,heatedmineenemies;andwhat’ shisreason?IamaJew.HathnotaJeweyes?HathnotaJewhands,organs,dimensions,senses,affections,passions?Fedwiththesamefood,hurtwiththesameweapons,subjecttothesamediseases,heal’dbythesamemeans,warm’dandcool’ dbythesamewinterandsummer,asaChristianis?Ifyouprickus,dowenotbleed?Ifyoutickleus,dowenotlaught?Ifyouporionus,dowenotdie?Andifyouwrongus,shallwenotrevenge?”?(Act?Scene?50-63) HisfrequentlymentionsofthecrueltyhehasenduredatChristianhandsmakeithardforustolabelhimanaturalbornmonster.ShylockarguesthatJewsarehumansandcallshisquestforvengeancetheproductoflessonstaughttohimbythecrueltyofVenicecitizens.Insuchcondition,his“malicious”ismuchmorereasonable. BesidesthefacialofShylock’ smalignance,actually,heisapersonwhosesenseofdecencyhasbeenfracturedbythepersecutionheendures.Comparatively,thosekindnessandwisdomChristian,infact,haveanotherhideousfeature.So,inmymind,Shylockisamanwhoisworthsympathizing. III.AnalyzingtheCentralCharacterintheNovel--Portia ThegirlembodiesthevirtuesthataretypicalforShakespeare’ sheroines--ithasnosurprisethatsheemergesastheantidotetoShylock’ smalice.Sheisthepretty-wittedaristocratyounggirl.Sheisenthusiasmandgraceful;resourcefulandhumorous;wealthyandbeautiful.Sheistheperfectfemalewhoglittersthehumanismidealinherlife.ThisisPortia. A.TheEssentialNatureofPortia Atthebeginningoftheplay,however,wedonotseePortia’ spotentialforinitiativeandresourcefulness,assheisanearprisoner,feelingherselfabsolutelyboundtofollowherfather’ sdyingwishes.Thisopenappearance,however,provestobearevealingintroductiontoPortia,whoemergesasthatrarestofcombinations--afreespiritwhoabidesrigidlybyrules.WhenBassanioasksBelmonttochoosehischest,sheprovesherselftobehighlyresourceful,beggingthemanshelovestostayawhilebeforepickingachest,andfindingloopholeinthewill’ sprovisionthatweneverthoughtpossible.Also,inherdefeatofShylock,sheprevailsbyapplyingamorerigidstandardthanShylock,agreeingthathecangetapoundofflesh,butaddingthatitdoesnottoallowforanylossofblood.Anybodycanbreaktherules,butPortia’ seffectivenesscomesfromherabilitytomakethelawworkforher.AfterdeprivingBassanioofhisring,shestopstheprankbeforeitgoesfar,andsheeveninsinuatesthatshehasbeenunfaithful.TheseentirecanprovesPortia’ swit,resource,andhumor 5 B.TheHumanismSpiritShownbyPortia Portiaisthemaincharacterinthisplay.SheembodiesthevirtuesthataretypicalforShakespeare’ sheroines.Beingawealthyounggirl,sheisbeautiful,gentleandtender,andfullofstratagems.ShelivesinBelmont--apeacefulworld,andrecruitsthenewestideologicaltrends.So,hermindisequippedbyhumanism.Sheisacutegirl,evenherfather’ sbehest;shewouldliketoabideby.Humanismhasseveralcontents.OneofthemistheRationalismobjecttoObscurantism.Itadvocatestreasuringpeopleintelligent.Anditissaidthemostreasonofpeopleisdignitydependingonthepowerofrational.Rationalishuman’ snature,scienceisthesourceofjoyful.So,whenBassanioarrives,Portiauseherresourcefulmindtocallhisattentiontopickthecorrectchest. Iprayyou,tarry:pauseadayortwo Beforeyouhazard;for,inchoosingwrong, Ilostyourcompany:therefore,forbearawhile.?(Act?Scene?1-5) „„ Beforeyouventureforme.Icouldteachyou Howtochooseright „„ Theseemingtruthwhichcunningtimesputon Toentrapthewisest.Therefore,thougaudygold, HardfoodforMidas,Iwillnoneofthee; Nornoneofthee,thoustaleandcommondrudge, Tweenmanandman:butthou,thoumeagerlead, Whichratherthreatenestthandostpromiseaught, Thypalenessmovesmemorethaneloquence; AndherechooseI:---Joybetheconsequence!?(Act?Scene?100-107) ThisistheevidencethatPortianeverresignsherselftoherfate.Inordertoperuseherownhappinessandlove,shemakesuseofherwisdomobeyedherfather’ swillaswellasmarrywiththeMr.Right.Thisisoneaspect.TheotheroneisthatwhenshearguedwithShylocktoactdefenseasameansofattackonthecourt,andconsolidateateverystep.Shylockthoughtheencounteredbosomfriendatbeginning.Andlater,suddenlyherealizedhehaslosthispreponderance.Portia’ sbrilliancetalentandShylock’ sweakeneddefense,bothmakepeoplecannothelplaughing.Consideredherattitudetowardsloveandtheperformancesheactsoncourt.Thereisnodoubtthatsheisaremarkablehumanist. C.Portia--aSelf-consciousFemale Portiaisabeautiful,dignityandwealthgirl.Andthemostimportantthingissheobtainsstronglyfemaleself-consciousness.Sheknowswhatissheneeds,andtryherbesttopursue.Shehasaninsightintotheworldwhichsheexists— thecodeofethics,thevalue„,sheknowswhat’ 6 stherolesheplays.So,shecanvacillatefreelyinthemalesociety,getshergoalandnottogoagainsttherules.Inthisplay,itseemsshejustdoestwothings:helphertochooseahusband;helpherhusbandtorescueAntonio.Bothofthemhavefullydemonstratedherintelligence,andrevealheranti-traditionfigure.It’ sthetimewhenshechoosesherhusbandtoshowherabilitytosuitmalesociety.Portianotonlyhasthefemaleself-consciousness,butalsounderstandsthoroughlywhatisthestatusandrolewomanobtainsinmalesociety.Sheknowsthemethodwhichkeepsawayfromconflicts.Toherhusband,sheisanangle:sheepish,tenderandobedient.WhenBassaniochoosesthecorrectcasket,sheimmediatelysayssheisan“unwise,lack-educationgirl”.Isshereallysohumble?No.Portiaknowsverycl earlythatmandislikeswomanismoresensibleandpriorthanmenthemselves.Soshemakeshermodestonpurpose.ButatthesameshewouldliketoshowherimportantrolewhenshegivesherringtoBassanio,shesays: Myselfandwhatisminetoyouandyours Isnowconverted:butnowIwasthelord Ofthisfairmansion,masterofmyservants, QueenO’ermyself;andevennow,butnow, Thishouse,theseservants,andthissamemyself, Areyours,mylord:Igivethemwiththisring; Whichwhenyoupartfrom,lose,orgiveaway, Letitpersagetheruinofyourlove, Andbemyvantagetoexclaimonyou.? TheaimtobesaidlikethatistoremindBassaniosheistheveryonethat’sthe realmasterinherfamily.Inotherwords,sheistheprotagonistintheplay,andthemaleisthecostarwhostandsonthepasive,subordinaryrim,andtheyalwaysdoasoneistold.Thisfigure-portraydeniedthetraditongenderrelationshipmakesfemalegofrom“rim”to“center”,from“object”to “subject”.It’stodenythetraditionalfemaleconception.Andontheotherhand,allofthoseshowsPortiaisapersonalityliberationwoman. D.AnExplanationonPortiaMasqueradingasMan TheperiodwhentheMerchantofVenicewascreatedwascalledShakespeare’ scomedyperiod.DuringthisperiodShakespeareshapedhumanitiesandthearts.BritishQueenElizabethIisintheheydayoftherule,monarchysolidandeconomicprosperity.Shakespeareinthesocialrealityoftheidealsofhumanismwillbeachievedconfidence,optimismworksfilledwithforthrightandbrightcolors.Thereisanidiomsaid “Britishistheparadiseforwoman,andthehellforsteed”,whichmeansBritishf emaleenjoymorefreethanmale,andusuallymaleshouldadheretotheirwife.Andthefactrelatedtothisiswomanbenefitedmoreeducation,especiallyhumanism.MostofShakespeare’sheroineshavebeenconsideredthemodelofQueenElizabeth.? IntheMerchantofVenice,Portiaisamissinanoblefamily.Sheisboredwithspoon.Hernatureislovely,smart,andwittyandevenssomenaughty.Herhomelandissplendidandluxurious.Havingsomeproprietystatus,Portiaworriesaboutnothing,andevenlatewhenshechoosesherhusband,shedoesn’tthinkit’ 7 snecessarytochoosesomeonewhohavetheequalsocioeconomicstatus.ThisisonereasonwhyPortiawouldshowherhearttoBassanio--adecliningnoble.Absorbingthelatestideology,herideologicallevelhasbeenimprovedveryhigh.Sheisintelligentandresourceful.Whenshehasknownherhusband’ sbestfriendhavebeenaccused.Inhermind,agoodideahasbeenemergedpriortogotocourtandfightagainstShylock. Butthereisthekeyproblem--whydoesPortiamasqueradeasman?Wouldn’ tshegotothecourtwithherowndress?Whyshouldshedisguiseherselfasablack-robedjudge?Thesearethecomplicatedquestionsinthecontext.Inmyopinion,therearethreereasonstoexplainthisphenomenon. Itisthefactthatwoman’ sstatushasbeenimprovedalot,especiallyatElizabeth’s realm.ThereisanotherimportantfactoraboutShakespeare’scomedyis “heroesindress”asonesays: “Britisharetheparadiseforwomanandthehellforsteed”.InShakespeare’ scomedy,femalenotonlyistheprotagonist,butalsoholdsthethreadofdetails,andveryerudite.Portiadressesinblackrobe,thefirstfunctionistopilecomedyeffecton,andthrowsthecomedyatmosphereintosharprelief.Thesecondfunctionisthefollowing:becausehumanismconsiststhattheworldtheyinhabitisnottodespisebuttoquestion,explore,andenjoy.Thus,byemphasizingthedignityofhumanbeingsandtheimportanceofthepresentlife,theyvoicetheirbeliefsthatmandoesnotonlyhavetherighttoenjoythebeautyofthislife,buthastheabilitytoperfecthimselfandtoperformwonders.Andadvocatethatwomanshouldbetreatedequaltoman.Humanisboredequal.? ShakespearecreatesPortia,andgiveshertheendowmenttodressupasman.Andbyusingherunrulyfemalespeech,thefunctionistoemphasizewomanshouldbetreatedequallytoman.Evensometimeswomanismuchmoreexcellentthanman.MaybethisistheShakespeare’ s(asahumanist)expectation.Thelastbutnottheleastfunctionis:althoughwoman’ sstatushasbeenpromoted,andthehumanismideologicalwaveisstickingstronglyoutatthefeudalism.Malesandfemalestreateddifferentlyhavedeeprootsineverybody’ smind,includingfemalesthemselves.Portiaiscleverenough.Butshestillisapeopleintheworld.Shealsomustobeytherulesofconvention.Somecriticssay:“WhenElizabeth ?,ruledtherealm,themajorityofwomanfoundtheiraccesstothepublicspheredecreasing,astheeconomicrolestheyplayedinthelatemedievalperiodcontracted.Recurrentinflation,landshortagesandpovertycombinedtocreatea‘crisisoforder’,thoughitdevelopednew,andinsomecasesquitesubtle,tacticsforenforcingthesubordinationofwoman.Althoughtheprotestantbeliefinthespiritualequalityofmenandwomenaccordingsomewomengreaterspiritualdignityandpower,andfosteredaswellamore‘companionate’ 8 andaffectionatemodeofmarriage,thesegainsdidnottranslateintoeconomic,political,orsocialequality”?(SusanAmussen,1988andMerryE.Weisner,1993) AtthebackofPortia’simmortality,theplayshowsusthewoman’ sbitterwhichtheyhavebeardsolong.Asanexcellentgirl,shecan’ tentercourtnaturally,insteadshemasqueradesasman.Toestablishthecentralstatusofhuman,theirdignityandvalue;toadvocatetheloveandequality;andofthesearejusttoworkfortheexpectationanddemandofman,thereisnobusinessofwoman.Aboveall,thereistheplotthatPortiamasqueradesasmanintheplay. IV.AComparativeStudyofCharacteristicDifferences Asweknow,thiscomedyisverylightandjoyful.Alsoitsthemeisveryclean.Butmanycriticismshaveanalyzedthefiguresindifferentangles.Soit’ sinevitabletomakeacomparisonamongtheroles. A.PortiaandJessica Bothofthemaretheimportantrolesinthisplay.Andbothhaveawealthfather.ThebasicdifferenceisPortialivinginBelmont,apeaceful,quietplace.AndJessicalivesinVenice,whichisacityfullofpedal,bourgeoisieandsmellofmoney.Aswesay‘circumstancecreateshuman’ Portiaiswitty,brave,andhumorous,andthereisalwaysaclevermaidforcompany.Theyenjoythemselvesandliveaveryhappylife.Bycontrast,Jessica,alonelygirl,becauseofherfather’ sniggardandheartless,shehasnofriend.Whatshedoeseverydayisjuststayathomewhereisaplacecalled‘gloomyjail’.Shecan’tgoouttohaveaplay;evencan’ topenthewindowtohaveabreath.Herfatheralwaysworrysomeonewillstealtheirmoneyandjewels.Shylockistheawfulfathertoher.Sheneverdearstosaynotoherfather.So,whensheencountersherlove---aChristianyoungman,Lorenzo.Shehasnothingtodojustpackssomemoneyandelopeswithhim: Jessica:Alack,whatheinoussinisitinme Tobeashamedtobemyfather’schild! ButthoughIamadaughtertohisblood. Iamnottohismanners.Oh,Lorenzo, Ifthoukeeppromise,Iwillendthisstrife, BecomeaChristianandthylovingwife!?(ActII,SceneIII,P64,15-22) Here,wecansay,thetwogirlshavecouragetopursuetheirownhappiness.ButPortia’shappinessishingeonherwit.Althoughsheisboundtoherdeadfather’ swill.ShestillhelpsBassaniotochoosethecorrectchestwithherwit.Toaudience,it’smoregratificationtobeaccepted.Andit’ sapityforJessicatochoosetheelopementfortheirlove. B.PortiaandShylock Portiaisahumanistandsheistheembodimentofkind,clever,andbravery.Sheisthepersonwhoisleadingthetrendofsociety,alsowecallher“trend— setter”.Bycontrast,Shylockstandsforusurerwhoisignorantandbackward.Absolutely,theyarerunintheoppositedirection.Thisistheknotthattheywillconflictdirectly.ThewonderfulperformanceoftheirconflictsisshownonScene?— thestruggleoncourt.ThewaythatPortiacrossesswordwithShylockissimilartoD 9 ukewithhe.Bothpersuadehimfirst.ThelittledifferenceisDukehasnoalternativeandPortiahasawell-thought-outplan.Shewinsthecasewithherwit.Wecan’ tholdourselvestothinkShylockisdefeatedbyagirlwhoisasoldashisdaughter.Atthattime,hehasjustlosthisdaughter.Whatapityitis!Andatlast,Shylocklosesallhehas—wealth,daughterandreligion.Atthatmoment,Shylock’ smisfortunestendtomakehimamoresympatheticfigurethanacomicone.“Whenyoulostsomething,anotheroneisretuningtoyou.” MaybethatisthetruemightyofShakespeare. C.AntonioandBassanio OneistherichmerchantofVenice.Heistherepresentativefigureofgrowingbourgeois.Heisostentatiousandisgenerousinaidingneedypeople.Healwayslendshismoneytootherwithoutinterest.Soheobtainsmuchgoodpraise.Theotheroneisaprofligatesonoftherich.Heistheembodimentofpowerfulnoble.ExceptUsurerandFeudalism,theyarethedazzlingfigureincommercializedsociety.Oneobtainsnumerousmoney;theotherhasadmirableclassstatus.Theyarethebosomfriendinreality.“Money”and“power” workquitewellbetweentheirfriendships.TheyareAntonioandBassanio.Wenearlycanawakentherearesomeintimaterelationshipfromtheirname.Nomatterifit’ stheplannedonpurposebyauthor.Boththeyareveryyoungandhandsome.Theyalwayshavesomespecialsmellscatteredfromtheirbodythatyoucanstrikeintheireverybreath.Isitpuritykindnessorbewitchingeyelight?Theirfriendshiphasbeenestablishedfirmly.AntoniohelpsBassaniooverhiseconomiccollapse.Inturn,BassaniousuallylistentoAntonio’ sinnermostfeelingandthehitchonbusiness.BeforePortiagoesuptothestage,theyjustlikeapairsof“sweetlover”.Buttheyaren’ tlover,andnotacombinedcommunity.Antonioisamerchantandhehasworriedsomanyaffairsabouthisbusiness.MaybetheonlyentertainmentitemistoscoldeveryunmoralactionactedbyShylockandtoexcoriatehiscurtness,selfishness,stinginessandberate.Whattheseallwouldhappenlikethat,thereasonjustbecauseShylockisJew.Theyaretheconflictsoftwooppositeideas,identification,conventionandreligions. Bassanioalthoughisanoble,actuallyheisadecliningaristocrat.Hehassquanderedhismoneyatdifferentmeeting,gatheringandonwoman.Nottospeaksotactful,heisaplayboywhoneverplanstogetajobordoingsomebusiness.Instead,hewouldliketolifehisheadfromaprofitablemarriage.WhenheborrowsmoneyfromAntonioaschiptopursuingPortia.Antoniosays: Iprayyou,goodBassanio,letmeknowit; Andifitstand,asyouyourselfstilldo, Withintheeyeofhonour,beassured Mypurse,myperson,myextremestmeans, Lieallunlockttoyouroccasion?(Act?scene?,P12,135-140) Andwhenhisboatswreckonsea,hehashadtoobeythecontract,andhesays: SweetBassanio,myshipshaveallmiscarried,mycreditorsgrowcrule,myestateisverylow,mybondtotheJewisforfeit;andsinceinpayingit,itisimpossibleI 10 shouldlive,alldebatesareclearedbetweenyouandI.ifImightbutseeyouatmydeath.Notwithstanding,useyourpleasure;ifyourlovedonotpersuadeyoutocome,letnotmyletter.?(Act?Scene?P132,315-321) Fromthesewords,wecanconfirmAntonioisthebestfriendofBassanio.Healwayshelpsothernottoaskforreward,evensacrificehislife.WhenBassaniohearsthenewsthatAntoniowilllosehislifeforhim.Hereturnsimmediatelyandgiveshislover’ sringbacktotheclerktoshowhisthanks.Theirfriendshiphasbeenprovedsoperfect. Conclusion TheperiodthatShakespearecreatedtheMerchantofVenicewasthereignofElizabeth?.Whatwasthenameofthatperiodcalled “theFirstFloweringPeriodofEnglishLiterature” andthegreatestchangebeganwithdrama.Shakespearewastherepresentativeatthattime.Inhisromanticcomedies,Shakespearetakesanoptimisticattitudetowardloveandyouth.TheMerchantofVenice,inwhichhehascreatedtension,ambiguity,aself-consciousnessandself-delightingartificethat,isatonceintellectuallyexcitingandemotionallyengaging. TherearetwocomiccharactersexistsintheMerchantofVenice.Thefirstoneiscomedyunitedwithmock.Aswesee,whatthecenterplacethisstoryhappenedisacityfullofthesmellofcommercializeandcapitalism.Differentrace,identification,religion,lawandsomeideasaboutfairandunfairareallshowedout.Inthisplay,JewShylockperformsgreatgreedformoney.Whenheisresultedandtreatedunfair,heisbrewingastronglydissatisfactiontorevengetheChristianandgracefulgentlemanandappealingforequaltreatment.Infact,Shylock’ scharacteristichasmanyaspects.Heisausurer.Heisavariciousandstingy.Buthealsohasthepitypoint:beinglostdaughter;beinghumiliatedbyAntonio;beingtreatedunfairinChristiansociety,andhisendlessmissforhiswife.AllofhisroleactionhassurpassedthefriendshipbetweenAntonioandBassanio,andthepropagationofChristianbyPortia.Sointhethesis,theauthorarguesShylocknotonlyasacurt,greedyandslyperson,butalsoasasympatheticfigure. Theseconddistinguishingfeatureiscomedyunitedwiththeidealofhumanism.OnecriticsaysthatShakespeare’ scomediesandromancestendtofocusondaughterswhoseageandrankmakethemdesirablespousesformenseekingtoimprovetheirsocialstanding.ThereisnoexceptionofShakespeare’ scomediestakesloveasthetheme.Andthemostusedexpressiontodescribethelover’ 11 srelationshipindebate.Theymatchwithintelligent,mindsandsentiments.Womanalwaysemergesthevictor.Theyarenotonlychaste,beautiful,youngandmoresensible,cuterandwiserthantheonewhomtheyadore.Andtheirabilitytoadaptthemselvestochangingconditionsalsoissurpassesoverman.Everythingthattheywanttodowillbeactedverywell,includingstrivesforhappiness,inwhichtheyaremoreactivethanman.Atthesametime,Portiaisanindependentwomanwhohasattainedsomemeasureoffinancialindependence.Inthisplay,therearetwomainhumanistswhohavebeentalkedabout.OneisAntonio.Aswesay,heisawealth,kindheartedmerchantinthebeginningperiodofCapitalistsociety.Althoughhehasbeendescribedasaweak,melancholyandlacklustercharacterinmyformerparagraph.Butwecan’ tdenythathisindeed,actually,canbeseemedtheactionofarealtruehumaninthatblood-stainedeconomicalsystem.HeissinceretoBassanio,generoustotheneedy;andkindtohisotherfriends.Alloftheideologyshowedbyhimputshimattheplatformofhumanism.Andhestandsforthesuperiorcapitalist,bourgeoiswhichisagainstusurerandthefeudalbarons.TheotherhumanistisPortia.Sheistheembodimentofwisdom,beauty,strategy.SheisalsoconsideredtheveryonewhocanrepresenttheliberatedwomaninRenaissanceinShakespeare’ splay.Nomatterwhatrolesshedisplayed:richheritage,tendernesslover,wiseandfarsightedlawyeranddevotedwife.Shegetsnumerouspraises.Manypeoplereferhertotheintelligent,brave,liberatedhumanist,buteverycoinhastwosides.AtthebackofPortia’ sradianceexistssomethingthatwouldmakeusdeepinthought.Issherealliberatedthoroughly?Utterlytheanswerisnegative.Becauseshestillcan’ tentercourtnaturallyinherdressbutdisguisesherasamaninblack-robe.So,wecangettheconclusionthatdiscriminationongenderandsexisstillaproblemthatcan’tbesolvedeasilyinanyperiod. AnanalysisofShakespeare’ stheMerchantofVenicefromtheperspectiveofthefeminismtheorymanifeststhefactthattheShakespeareanheroinesdonotfallsimplyintotwostereotypes， namely，thegoodorthebad.Instead， endowedwiththemodernanti-patriarchalspirit， theyareinthecenterofthestagewhereasthemenareinasubordinateandmarginalposition(Bydoingso， Shakespearehassuccessfullyunderminedthepatriarchalideologyandfacilitatedthedemonstrationofthetraditionaldefinitionofwomenbyamen-centeredsociety，therebyofferingaclearsilhouetteofhisfeministideas( Inaword,theMerchantofVeniceisacomedyplay.Nomatterhowsophisticatethecharacterexpressed.IthinkthefundamentalofShakespeareistopunishtheevilandpraisethegood.Themainmelodyofthisplayisstillverylightandjoyful. 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