外国语学院2007届毕业论文范文.doc
《外国语学院2007届毕业论文范文.doc》由会员分享,可在线阅读,更多相关《外国语学院2007届毕业论文范文.doc(18页珍藏版)》请在三一文库上搜索。
1、On the Character of Shylock in The Merchant of VeniceByZhang XiaomingA 2006 Undergraduate of the School of Foreign Languages of Anqing Teachers CollegeSupervisor: Li MingMay 25th, 2006On the Character of Shylock inThe Merchant of VeniceThesis statement: Shylock is not a complete villain, but a tragi
2、c figure who is more sinned against than sinning. Outline I. Brief introduction about the comedy and ShylockII. Analysis of the character of ShylockA. Shylock as a Jewish usurerB. Shylock who endured abuse but forgave easilyC. Shylocks attitude towards his eloped daughterD. Shylocks attitude towards
3、 the customs and the lawIII. My view of Shylock On the Character of Shylock in The Merchant of VeniceAuthor: Zhang Xiaoming Supervisor: Li MingI. Brief introduction about the comedy and ShylockShylock is the most vivid and memorable character in The Merchant of Venice, and he is one of Shakespeares
4、greatest dramatic creations. On stage, it is Shylock who makes the play, and almost all of the great actors of the English and Continental stage have attempted the role. But the character of Shylock has also been the subject of much critical debate: Is he a bloodthirsty villain? Or is he a man “more
5、 sinned against than sinning”? In my opinion,though Shylock is technically the antagonist in the play, it is easy to sympathize him with his plight. During this period in history, Jews were harassed, killed, spit upon, and treated little better than animals (unless of course someone wanted to borrow
6、 some money). Antonio had spit upon him in the past, stolen his customers by lending money to them without interest, stolen one of Shylocks servants, whose friend then eloped with his only daughter. (中间段落已被省略!范文仅供参考!)II. Analysis of the Character of Shylock A. Shylock as a Jewish usurerShakespeare c
7、reated a living portrait that has caused critics to wonder whether Shylock is merely a comic villain or the tragic victim of Christian cruelty. The story of the Jews in medieval Europe throws a good deal of light on the events of the play and provides us with the Shakespearean frame of reference whi
8、ch is necessary for an understanding of both the major themes and minor details which are the fabric of The Merchant of Venice.(中间段落已被省略!范文仅供参考!) It is troubling that Shakespeare has Shylock say in an aside, as soon as Bassanio introduces to Antonio, “I hate him for he is a Christian.”1 This is not
9、a rational reason to hate anyone and is the first warning of trouble. Shylock does indeed have a problem with Antonio, not because he is a Christian, but rather, as Shylock explains: “He Antonio lends out money gratis and brings down/The rate of usance here with us in Venice.”2 This was not simply a
10、 case of greed on Shylocks part; the Jews of that time had no other way to earn money. They were not allowed to own land, and most occupations were closed to them. By lending money without interest, Antonio was depriving Shylock of his only source of income. (中间段落已被省略!范文仅供参考!)B. Shylock who endured
11、abuse but forgave easilyShylock is first encountered in conversation with Bassanio. An examination of Shylocks interactions with other people prior to his discovery of Jessicas betrayal reveals no unpleasantness except with regard to Antonio. But Shakespeare describes Antonio as sad and weary; if An
12、tonio had a more sanguine personality, the relationship might have been different. There is no evidence of evil intent in Shylocks attitude when he is discussing the requested loan with Bassanio:Shylock: Three thousand ducats; well. Bassanio: Ay, sir, for three months. Shylock: For three months; wel
13、l. Bassanio: For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound. Shylock: Antonio shall become bound; well. Bassanio: May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer? Shylock: Three thousand ducats, for thee months, and Antonio bound. Antonio is a good man3 It is a matter of fact
14、business interview, neither of the parties wasting words. With the curt but not impolite manner of the professional banker, Shylock simply reiterates the sum requested“Three thousand ducats.” But he is a business man. There is no reason for him to fall on Bassanios neck and express his eagerness to
15、do a deal. He must go cautiously, and see how urgent Bassanio is, and how much therefore he can increase his own gains in the deal by stipulating a more or even a much more profitable rate of interest. There is no suggestion of sarcasm in the word “Antonio is a good man”, although it certainly can b
16、e played that way. Shylock explains what he means: that Antonio is sufficient as a guarantor, even though his ships are at sea and their fate is uncertain. He concludes, “I think I may take his bond. I will be assured I may May I speak with Antonio?”4 Bassanio then asks Shylock to dine with them, an
17、d Shylock declines; he assures Bassanio that “I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you”, but because of his religious constraints, “I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you.” To soften the harshness of his refusal, he returns immediately to a neutral social
18、question“what news on the Rialto?”5 to indicate that he did not intend to be rude.When he meets Antonio, his first words to him are “Rest you fair, good signior; Your Worship was the last man in our mouths.”6 (We were just talking about you.) Anyway, anyone who sees evil or even unpleasantness in Sh
19、ylocks remark is looking for trouble. Shylock proceeds to tell Antonio about Jacob when he grazes his Uncle Labans sheep. This is supposedly an attempt by Shylock to rationalize his taking of interest, and according to Antonio, “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”7 Its strange that Shakes
20、peare would have Shylock use this story. A Jew would be unlikely to use it in an attempt to explain anything, since it has nothing to do with the taking of interest and is therefore a meaningless story in this context. Stranger still is that Antonio seems to have a better understanding of the incide
21、nt than Shylock the Jew does: This was a venture, sir, that Jacob servd for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But swayd and fashiond by the hand of heaven. 8 But as we know, Shylock endured much of Antonios abuse, over a long period of time. This can be seen by the sheer volume of disgrace
22、s he has born. A good example is in Act 3 Scene 1, beginning with line 50: “He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies ”9 In his next significant speech, Shylock recou
23、nts how Antonio has abused him in the past. In these lines Shylock sounds quite rational, even though he has reason to be angry and frustrated. He says, in effect, that Antonio has scolded him many times in the marketplace about his money and his interest, and he always bears it with a patient shrug
- 配套讲稿:
如PPT文件的首页显示word图标,表示该PPT已包含配套word讲稿。双击word图标可打开word文档。
- 特殊限制:
部分文档作品中含有的国旗、国徽等图片,仅作为作品整体效果示例展示,禁止商用。设计者仅对作品中独创性部分享有著作权。
- 关 键 词:
- 外国语学院 2007 毕业 论文范文
链接地址:https://www.31doc.com/p-3298302.html