威尼斯商人“新”“旧”社会意义的对比研究

论文摘要

本论文从莎士比亚时代和现代两个视角探究了莎士比亚著名戏剧<<威尼斯商人>>的社会意义。通过分析《威尼斯商人》在两个不同历史时期社会意义的差异,戏剧在新时期新视角下的社会意义浮出水面。这部戏剧在莎士比亚时代的社会意义,本文主要从以下三个方面论述:一、揭露夏洛克贪得无厌的贪婪和凶狠残暴,夏洛克丑恶的形象展现得淋漓尽致,为了追求金钱和复仇,他甚至可以失去人性和理智。二、歌颂安东尼奥和巴赛尼奥之间的伟大友谊,为了友谊,他们可以为对方付出一切甚至牺牲自己的生命。三、对美丽、智慧、忠诚的鲍西娅的赞美,显然,鲍西娅是莎士比亚时代女性基督徒的完美典范。但是站在新时期的角度,作者认为《威尼斯商人》的社会意义在于对犹太人毫无理性偏见的批判和对基督徒伪善的讽刺。通过剖析夏洛克的性格,文章认为由于犹太人的身份夏洛克忍受了不公平的待遇,因此他对基督徒的仇恨是他遭遇的本能反应。而真正邪恶的是基督徒腐败的伦理道德价值观。文章为了烘托新旧社会意义对比这一主题,还阐述了两部分的背景资料。首先,莎士比亚时代基督徒占统治地位和犹太人处边缘地位的社会特征,犹太人长期以来受到基督徒的欺压和凌虐。以及揭示了那个时代的反犹太主义浪潮。其次,随着社会的发展和人们思想观念的改变,犹太人逐渐争取民族平等得到解放。笔者认为我们应该摆脱时代的局限,站在二十一世纪的角度重新审视莎士比亚这部伟大的作品—《威尼斯商人》,赋予这部旧时代的作品新的内涵。

论文目录

• Synopsis
• 摘要
• Introduction
• Chapter Ⅰ Features of the Society in Shakespeare's Times
• 1.1 The Dominant Position of the Christians and the Marginalized Position of the Jews
• 1.1.1 Jews in Early England:Assimilation to Expulsion
• 1.1.2 Jews in Elizabethan Society
• 1.2 Anti-semitism
• Chapter Ⅱ The "Old" Social Significance of The Merchant of Venice in Shakespeare's Times
• 2.1 The Exposure of the Insatiable Greed and Brutality of Shylock
• 2.2 The Glorification of the Friendship Between Antonio and Bassanio
• 2.3 The Idealization of Portia as a Woman with Great Beauty,Wit and Loyalty
• Chapter Ⅲ The Social Changes in Modern Times
• 3.1 Jewish Emancipation
• 3.1.1 The Definition of Jewish Emancipation
• 3.1.2 Background
• 3.1.3 Emancipation Movements
• 3.2 Jewish History in Germany
• 3.2.1 Early History through 1663
• 3.2.2 The Return and Growth of the Jews
• 3.2.3 Toward the Holocaust
• 3.2.4 Post-Holocaust Developments
• 3.2.5 Cultural Remains of the Jews
• Chapter Ⅳ The "New" Social Significance of The Merchant of Venice in Modern Times
• 4.1 The Exposure of the Unreasonable Prejudice against the Jews
• 4.1.1 A Brief Introduction about Shylock
• 4.1.2 The Analysis of the Character of Shylock
• 4.1.2.1 Shylock as a Jewish Usurer
• 4.1.2.2 Shylock Who Endured Abuse but Forgave Easily
• 4.1.2.3 Shylock's Attitude towards His Eloped Daughter
• 4.1.2.4 Shylock's Attitude towards the Customs and the Law
• 4.1.3 My View of Shylock
• 4.2 The Satire on the Christians' Hypocrisy
• 4.2.1 The False Standards of Friendship and Love
• 4.2.2 The Christians' So-called Mercy
• Conclusion
• Works Cited
• Acknowledgement