Contents
Abstract……………………………………….…………………………………….…Ⅱ
Key Words…………………………………………………………………………Ⅱ
摘要……………………………………………………………………….…………Ⅲ
关键词…………………………….…………………………………………………Ⅲ
Introduction…………………………………………………………………… 1
Ⅰ. Social Background of the Play the Merchant of Venice…………………………. 2
A. The Reality Social Information in Elizabeth Throne…….……………………2
B. Special Social Background Reflecting in the Merchant of Venice…2
Ⅱ. Analyzing the Heroes in the Play………………………………………………3
A. Antonio…………………………………………………………………………3
B. Bassanio……………………….………………………………………………4
C. Shylock…………………………………………………………………………5
III. Analyzing the Central Character in the Play--Portia ……………………….…6
A. The Essential Nature of Portia………………………………………….……6
B. The Humanism Spirit Shown by Portia ………………………………………6
C. Portia- a Self-conscious Female……………………………………………7
D. An Explanation on Portia Masquerading as Man……………………………8
IV. A Comparative Study of Characteristic Differences among Main Figures……10
A. Portia and Jessica………….…………………………………………………10
B. Portia and Shylock…………….………………………………………………11
C. Antonio and Bassanio………………………………………………………12
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….….14
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………16
Notes……………………………….………………………………………………17
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………18
Abstract
As we known that the merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most important works. It is a comedy. The theme of this play is to extol kindheartedness, friendship and love. And also it reflects the conflicts between the capitalists and usurers at the beginning of the capitalist society. And it expresses the author’s humanist idea on money, law and religion in capitalist society. This thesis analyzes the main figures in the play by using independent and contrast ways. It shows the heavily flavor of humanism at the beginning of capitalist society; and expresses some thoughts for society and human being. The thesis also makes a hard criticism to Shylock, who is a representative of feudalism, and puts a heavy humanism on Portia. It displays the thoughts of feudalism personality liberation, and stressing the great breakthrough of woman’s status and feminine consciousness in Elizabethan era.
Key Words
Character analyzing; humanism; personality liberation; women consciousness
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
