英语毕业论文——An Analysis of Pirates of the Caribbean from Berdyaev’s View on Good and Evil

泰山医学院本科毕业设计（论文） 学号：6106006108泰山医学院毕业设计（论文） An Analysis of Pirates of the Caribbean from Berdyaevs View on Good and Evil院（部）系外国语学院所 学 专 业英语本科（英双专业第二学位）年级、班级 完成人姓名指导教师姓名专业技术职务 AbstractThe movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, is created by Disney of the United States with the theme of pirates, which is directed by the famous science fiction derector, Gore Verbinski. This film caught extensive attention. Berdyaev is a famous Russian philosopher and he is famous for his insistence on liberty. In ethic area, he gives profound and comprehensive explanation on good and evil. He has his own understanding of good and evil. He believes that freedom is the origin of good and evil. And he points out the conflicts between good and evil will lead to tragedies and at the same time unity is also the characteristic of his view on good and evil.This thesis expects to analyze the characters and their behaviors rationallly on the theoratical basis of Berdyaevs view on good and evil. This will help the readers to have a general knowledge about good and evil and to appreciate the special design of the film so as to have a rational understanding of this film and the relavant ones. In this way, the nature of the things in the daily life can be correctly acknowledged and judged. And in turn a correct view on good and evil will be built, which will help the readers to think about how to aviod or face the tragedies caused by the conflicts between good and evil.Key Words: Pirates of Caribbean; good and evil; Berdyaev摘要加勒比海盗系列是由美国迪斯尼公司出品，著名科幻导演戈尔维宾斯基导演的以海盗为题材的电影。这部电影引起了广泛的关注。别尔加耶夫是俄罗斯一位伟大的哲学家，以其对“自由”的执着而著称于世。他的善恶观具有独到的见解。他认为自由是善恶产生的根源，并提出了善恶具有矛盾的悲剧性，同时也具有统一性的特点。本文将以别尔加耶夫的善恶观的主要内容为依据通过对善恶观的介绍和对影片中的人物及其行为所反映的善恶的剖析，笔者希望可以帮助读者对善恶观产生初步的认识，从善恶的角度去欣赏影片的设计，学会理性地分析这一文艺作品及其他相关作品，从而在生活中能正确认识和判断各种事物的性质，树立正确的善恶观，并积极思考如何避免或承受善恶冲突所带来的悲剧。关键词：加勒比海盗；善恶观；别尔加耶夫Contents Chapter 1 Introduction1Chapter 2 A Brief Introduction to Berdyaevs View on Good and Evil12.1 Content of Berdyaevs View on Good and Evil22.2 Significance of Berdyaevs View on Good and Evil2Chapter 3 Liberty as the Source of Good and Evil43.1 Captain Jack Sparrows Good and Evil Behaviors for Liberty43.2 Barbossas Good and Evil Produced for Liberty53.2.1 Barbossas evil behaviors for freedom53.2.2 Barbossas good behaviors for freedom53.3 Other Major Characters Good and Evil Behaviors for Liberty63.3.1 Wills evil bahaviors for his fathers freedom63.3.2 Norringtons evil bahaviors for his own freedom7Chapter 4 The Tragedies Caused by the Conflict between Good and Evil84.1 The Death of Jack Sparrow because of the Conflicts between Good and Good84.2 Great Loss of the Innocent People because of the Conflicts between Good and Evil9Chapter 5 Unity of Good and Evil105.1 A Conversion from Evil to Good in Wills Betrayal105.2 A Mixture of Good and Evil in Captain Jacks Behaviors11Chapter 6 Conclusion12Notes13Bibliography14Acknowledgements15Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 1 IntroductionThe film, Pirates of the Caribbean, has been created since 1996 by Disney of the United States with the theme of pirates. And it has been regarded as the most successful films about pirates so far. The second part Dead Mans Chest with ticket sales up to 1.1 billion dollars becomes one of the movies with the highest ticket sales in the movie history. In fact, the creativity about Pirates of the Caribbean originates from the Theme Park of Disney with the same name.The stories happened in the 18th century, which was the end of the heyday of the pirates. With the development of the industrial revolution, Sailing colonial trade gradually arose. And at that time, Caribbean had a great important geographical position on the trade routes. There often dove the pirates, who always attacted the merchants and even the royal navy. Complex conflicts occured frequently.Berdyaev is a famous Russian philosopher and he is famous for his insistence on liberty. Mr. Zhang Yaping said, “he is Russias Hegel; and he is one of the best philosopher and prophet today.” 1 In ethic area, he gives profound and comprehensive explanation on good and evil. He points out that aspiring to liberty is the internal reason for the production of good and evil. He holds on esteem the experiential of understanding of good and evil. And this is ragarded as a “Copernican revolution” 2 and the precious treasure of anthropology and ethics. The comments on the major characters in the film are different and various. This paper aims to reasoningly analyze these characters and their behaviors under the guide of Berdyaevs view on good and evil. And the body of this thesis is divided into four parts. The first chapter is mainly about Berdyaevs view on good and evil and its significance. From chapter 3 to chapter 5, there is the analysis and study of the characters and the stories in the movie from the internal reason of good and evil, the tragic of the conflicts between good and evil and the unity of the two. 15Chapter 2 A Brief Introduction to Berdyaevs View on Good and Evil Chapter 2 A Brief Introduction to Berdyaevs View on Good and Evil2.1 Content of Berdyaevs View on Good and EvilBerdyaev is famous for his insistence on liberty in the world, and his philosophy is even named Liberalism Philosophy. He lives in a bumpy life with his extremely abundant thoughts. In ethic area, he gives profound and comprehensive explanation on good and evil. Aspiring to liberty is the internal reason for the production of good and evil. He holds in esteem the experiential of understanding of good and evil. In his opinion, good and evil cant be defined. To define it for the conception is just a paronomasia, which makes good and evil lose its essence of original life. Nevertheless, we can summarize what is good and what is evil. Good and evil present symbolic, tragic and unity. Especially the analysis of tragic shows us that its the production of good and evil that results in endless pains of the people. Furthermore, he also explained how to decrease and deal with the tragic brought by the conflict of good and evil in various aspects. It is the precious treasure of anthropology and ethics.2.2 Significance of Berdyaevs View on Good and EvilBerdyaev is a famous Russian philosopher. After the October Revolution, he was forced to leave his country and began to exil in the western world. In the west, his popularity was almost the highest one among Russian philosophers in philosophy. In his own words, “I am the first one in the west won great reputation of Russias Christian philosophers in the west”.3 In Chinese philosophy, he is also the luckiest among Russian philosophers. His writings are the most translated into Chinese. And he is the first Russian philosopher won great reputation in China .Good and Evil is the traditional and eternal topic in the philosophy area. And it is also the basic issue in ethics domain. None of the scholars shows little interests in this kind of issue. And most of them set out their works for the research of this part, and that gives rise to various views on good and evil with their distinguishing figures.Berdyaev profounds an analysis of the tragedies because of the conflicts of good and evil and that is regarded as the milestone in the history of philosophy. Mr. Zhang Baichun said that Berdyaev enforced Copernicus-like revolution. Mr. Wang Jiezhi and Mr. Luo Xianwen both spoke highly of Berdyaev in their articles. It is pointed that, “Berdyaev was someone like an encyclopedia appeared in Russia of 20th century. His works involve in philosophy, religion, literature, history, politics, anthropology, ethics and other various areas, with profound and penetrating point of views”. 4 Thus, we can get to know the Berdyaevs influence and status on philosophy and formalists. Chapter 3 Liberty as the Source of Good and EvilChapter 3 Liberty as the Source of Good and EvilMr. Zhang Baichun pointed, “The liberty issue and comprehension of liberty separate Berdyaev and all the other thinkers, no matter in Russian history or western countries”. 5 Liberty is the main characteristic of Berdyaevs thoughts. And in Pirates of the Caribbean, all the production of good and evil is related to liberty. Thus the follow part in this chapter tries to analyze good and evil displayed in the major characters in the movie.3.1 Captain Jack Sparrows Good and Evil Behaviors for Liberty Captain Jack Sparrow is the leading character in Pirates of the Caribbean. He has fairly complicated personality intension. He gains numerous film fans favor with his humor, intelligence, bravery, unique and mysterious personal glamour. But one who is welcomed by others doesnt mean he wont serve the devil, though“he is a gentle,he was”. As pirates, they live on seas all years around. Therefore, ship possesses unusual significance to them. It symbolizes the liberty. Combineing with examples below, the author will separately discuss the good and evil created by Jack, for his efferts for freedom.3.1.1 Captain Jacks good behaviors for freedomIn fact, Jacks status of captain and his favorite ship, the Black Pearl, were both given by Davy Johns. He once promised that he would return to the Flying Dutchman to take service for all his life left after being 13 years captain. This was “pay his debt” mentioned by Jack for so many times in the movie, and the story just happened on the date of “paying the debt”. But to take service on the Flying Dutchman was not better than death, because it meant to stand various affliction and suffering and there was no freedom at all. It was just a beautiful lie that taking service could put off the judgment of God, which was said by Davy Johns. Therefore, the only way for Jack to change his destiny was to find out Johns heart to make him under his control. Why didnt he kill Johns? At that time, Will was stopped by Jack when he was to stab Johns heart with the dagger in his hand. Because there was a rule that one who killed Davy Johns had to cut off his own heart and to be the Captain of Flying Dutchman. Although it could make one become the overlord of the sea, he would lost free of going ashore. That was not something good to Will who had had much to care in his mind. Finally, Will died. Jack killed Johns with the dagger in Wills hand. It saved Will back to this world, though he had to accept to be the Captain of Flying Dutchman. There is no doubt that Jack was so kind at that time. He won most peoples favor and respect with his kindness and intelligence.3.1.2 Captain Jacks evil behaviors for freedomIn the moive, Pirates of the Caribbean, to keep the Black Pearl, Jack made use of William Turner and risked his life to get the key that could be used to threat Davy Johns. And he even planed to sacrifice 100 guiltless souls to get rid of Johns control. Its undoubted that Jack was callous and evil at that moment. When everyone pulled together to fight against Davy Johns and his Flying Dutchman, the Black Pearl got severe destruction in the bloody situation. Yet in order to get rid of repaying Davy Johns debt, Jack chose to make his escape by secretly taking on the only lifeboat remaining on the Black Pearl. We can imagine how selfish, merciless and unforgivable Jack was under that occasion. “He fooled us all right till the end. But I guess that honest streak finally won out.” Remedy didnt mean that something evil had never happened. This still belonged to an experience of evil for Jack.3.2 Barbossas Good and Evil Produced for Liberty 3.2.1 Barbossas evil behaviors for freedomIts impossible for God to exterminate the potential possibility of evil in liberty, without exterminating liberty. And evil will come out as soon as the potential possibility turns to reality.6 In the moive, Pirates of the Caribbean, pirates leaded by Barbossa were punished by curse and driven by greed, bearing tortures and fetter, for they stole and used the cursed Az tektronix gold privately. To release from the curse and get their liberty, they had to search for and return all the gold that they had taken possession of and spent lavishly. Nevertheless, greed made them corrupt. They created tremendous massacre to achieve their aim. They massacred nearly half of royal harbor only to get just one gold from Elizabeth. Yet the gold were as many as 882 pieces. Its obvious to see what horrible crime they committed to release from curse and get liberty. “She has been preying on ships for nearly ten years. Never leave any survivors!” Its no wonder that the prisoners became pale even at the mention of the name of the Black Pearl.3.2.2 Barbossas good behaviors for freedomAt the beginning of Pirates of the Caribbean , therere many scenes that a number of pirates hanged by officers. Pirates is also a kind of vocation, for making a living, but with high risk. Once they are caught by officers, the miserable destiny would be there waiting for them. Thus, Barbossa had been trying his best for pirates freedom since he was revived. He organized the pirate kings to get together, lead the Pirate Sociaty and finally summoned the Poseidon Clipso with Jack and Elizabeth and countered with Culter Beckett. He didnt regard his own life and death any more, but fighted for the freedom of all the pirates. This was the mission that his revivement brought to him. Barbossa was so great at that time, as a respectful leader who struggled for freedom. And this was the most impressive experience of good for Barbossa in the whole film.3.3 Other Major Characters Good and Evil Behaviors for LibertyThere is a wonderful part in the movie. The three men arrived a beach to get a chest.Each wantrd the chest for himself. Mr. Norrington, was trying to regain a bit of honor. Jack was looking to trade it and save his own skin. Then Turner, there, was trying to settle some unresolved business and twixt him and his twice-cursed pirate father.What the box packed was the overlord of the sea, Davy Johns heart. Whoever owned it would hold the ability to control the sea. So the three men came for Davy Jones heart and launched a fight, which became the most wonderful and intriguing segment in Pirates of the Caribbean. It is also for freedom, but at that moment, freedom contained other different interests and influence, and it also produced different experience of good and evil. Jacks experiences of good and evil in that event has been discussed in the preceding part of the athsis. And next the paper would like to analyze Wills and Norringtons behaviors.3.3.1 Wills evil bahaviors for his fathers freedomWills father, Bill Turner, was sant into the sea for objecting to Barbossas betrayal to Jack. Then he was saved onto the Flying Dutchman by Davy Johns and started to take service, losing his freedom, dignity and soul. After knowing about this, surely Will couldnt accept his father suffered dreariness and affliction under Davys control. When facing with the deadly chase, they narrowly escape by taking the advantage of downwind position, with Jacks leadership. Will didnt feel relaxed, but censured Jack for not dueling with the devil Davy under advantage. For Will, that was his responsibility. The love to his father was great, which could be regarded as lofty kindness. However, for taking the cake, Will betrayed Elizabeth and Jack, and even nearly killed all the staff on the ship and ruined the whole Pirate Sociaty. Although finally they won with a strange combination of circumstances, it could be still inferred from the details of the story that it was a accidental victory. Will almost made heavy fetters for himself. Undoubtedly, it was an experience of evil. Therefore, Will was not always to be the good one in the movie, which was extremely similar with Jack.3.3.2 Norringtons evil bahaviors for his own freedomNorrington used to be the commodore of British Royal Navy with glorious status. But he lost all his possessions and wandered about the destitutes. That dued to the failure of encircling and suppressing the pirates of the Caribbean. Occasionally, he joined the team of searching Davy Johns heart as well. He attempted to snatch the heart and gave it to Culter Beckett in order to offsetting his punishment and recovering his status. Freedom on that moment was just like what Euripides called “attain ones wishes”.7 It seemed to be without rebuke. However, Culter Beckett had became an evil hegemonist who vain attempted to forcibly occupy the whole sea and control the world, instead of defending citizens and driving out pirates as a member of British Royal Navy. Norrington stole the heart to achieve himself, but set up all the pirates, his beloved Elizabeth and many other innocent people indirectly. And he also helped the thriving development of Culter Becketts power. It was not a bit exaggerate that he was an accessory to a tyrants crimes. Eventually, he released all the pirates being put behind bars on Flying Dutchman before he died. He had realized his mistakes before long. For him, it was an experience of evil, moreover, it caused tragic and criminal consequence at the same time.Chapter 4 The Tragedies Caused by the Conflicts between Good and EvilChapter 4 The Tragedies Caused by the Conflicts between Good and EvilThe elaboration, made by Berdyaev, related to the good and evil conflicts enormously enriches his good and evil theory system, and it is also precious traesure in Sociology and anthropology. Berdyaev divides the conflicts into three parts: the good-good conflict, the good-evil conflicts and the evil-evil conflicts. The following part will study the tragedies resulted from the comflicts betwee