威尼斯商人中夏洛克的性格分析（李美华）.doc

编号： 本科毕业论文（设计）题目：威尼斯商人中夏洛克的人物性格分析 学 院 外国语学院 专 业 英语教育 学 号 201140210909 姓名 李美华 指导教师 高福猛 职称 讲师 完成日期 2015年4月20日 An Analysis of Shylocks Character inThe Merchant of VeniceA Thesis Submittedto School of Foreign Languages of Fuyang Normal University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirementsfor the Degree of Bachelor of ArtsByLi MeihuaSupervisor：Gao FumengApril 20, 2015诚 信 承 诺我谨在此承诺：本人所写的毕业论文中夏洛克的性格分析均系本人独立完成，没有抄袭行为，凡涉及其他作者的观点和材料，均作了注释，若有不实，后果由本人承担。 承诺人（签名）： 年 月 摘 要威尼斯商人中的夏洛克作为一个负面人物，与作品中其他人物形象形成鲜明的对比。他通常被视为一个自私贪婪的商人。但随着时代的发展，人们对夏洛克的看法逐渐产生了分歧。本文试从以下几个部分分析夏洛克的双重人物形象：第一部分主要讲述他性格的两大极端：一方面，他是一个残忍的恶棍，一个贪婪的守财奴，一个令人鄙视的小丑；同时，他又是一个经营有道的商人，尽职尽责的父亲及一位犹太民族正义的代表。第二部分主要从宗教经济和政治三方面分析夏洛克这个可怜人物的双重性格的形成原因。第三部分主要揭露了夏洛克双重性格背后的民族歧视宗教迫害及社会地位的差异等社会现象。本文深刻分析了夏洛克复杂多变的人物性格，有助于人们意识到人人生而平等，每个人都赋予不可剥夺的生存权力，从而为建立和谐社会，和谐世界而努力。关键词：双重性格；原因；犹太民族；正义代表AbstractShylock, a negative character, serves as a contrast to the protagonists in The Merchant of Venice, who has always been regarded as a vicious, selfish, avaricious merchant. However, with the development of time, people begin to hold different opinions on him. This paper tries to analyze Shylocks dual character from the following parts: The first part discusses the two extremes of his character: On the one hand, he is a brutal scoundrel, an avaricious miser and a contemptible clown. On the other hand, he is also a successful merchant, a responsible father and a brave warrior; the second part analyzes the reasons of this poor character, Shylocks dual character from religious, economic, and political perspectives; the third part discloses some social phenomena behind Shylocks dual character, such as racial discrimination, religious persecution, different social status and so on. Through the analysis of Shylocks complex and changeable character, this paper is conducive to making people realize that all are born equal and everyone has the inalienable right to exist so that we can make every effort to build a harmonious society and world.Key words: dual characters; causes; Jewish race; a righteous representativeTable of Contents诚信承诺书I摘要IIAbstractIIITable of ContentsIVI. Introduction1II. Shylocks Dual Characters32.1 The Vicious Aspects of Shylock42.1.1 Shylock as a Mean, Cruel Moneylender42.1.2 Shylock as a Cruel and Atrocious Avenger52.2. The Good Aspects of Shylock52.2.1 Shylock as an Intelligent and Diligent Merchant52.2.2 Shylock as a Good Father and Husband62.2.3 Shylock as a Righteous Representative of Jewish Race7III. Causes of His Complex Character83.1 Religious Factors83.2 Economic Factors93.3 Political Factors10IV.Realistic Significance of Shylocks Character104.1 Eliminating National Prejudice104.2 Building a Harmonious Society11V. Conclusion12References13I. IntroductionThe Merchant of Venice, one of the famous comedy of Shakespeare, was written in about 1596-1597 years, when Shakespeare changed his writing style from comedy to tragedy. It is the time that the country was ruled by the queen Elizabeth, especially in 1588, when the British defeated the Spanish, the Britain came into its flourished time when the trade of merchant usurer developed so quickly. Besides, at that time, there were so many social problems, especially the racial discrimination. Jewish race was thought the lowest races in the world. And Jewish people suffered a lot of insults and lived a very hard life. They did not have official jobs and several of them succeeded in becoming moneylender. Aristocrats had adjusted to living a lavished life, so they became the victims of the moneylenders, just like Antonio. So is the same with the dispute between the capital class and those Jewish usurers. In this play, we know Shylock is a mean, cruel and inhuman usurers, who puts money in the first place. And the contradiction between Antonio and Shylock is the same with the racial problems. For a long time, people seem to fail to take good aspects of Shylock into account, and regard him as a vicious villain. So this paper just wants to discuss Shylocks characters in an all-inclusive way.The Merchant of Venice, a masterpiece of William Shakespeare, plays an important role in English literature. And, shylock in this play, a distinctive and controversial character, has been always on the mouth of people. In most peoples eyes，he is always a brutal scoundrel, a greed miser, and acontemptible clown. But with time goes by, some people are beginning to talk about Shylocks character in a more complex perspective. So this paper tries to share the authors opinion with others in a different way and to analyze the reasons why Shylock has such dual characters and tragedy life from the religious, economic and political factors. Besides, As modern citizens, we need have an updated eyes to see everything equally and rationally. Survival in this ever-growing society, Most of us fail to remember what we really need and are prone to seeking money without even thinking about the means. That is not the right way in which people treat persons and things. So this paper sincerely hope that after talking about Shylocks dual characters in a more rational way, we can have a better understanding of this world, and love each other as well as build a more harmonious society.Being finished in 1596, The Merchant of Veniceis a brilliant comedy and the masterpiece of the second period of Shakespeares works. The story whose theme isextollingkindness, friendship and love happened in Venice in the 16th century. The general plot is as follows: In Venice, a merchant named Antonio invested all his wealth in merchandise and ships for foreign trade. So when his close friend Bassanio, a poor gentleman he always helps generously, wants to borrow money to court Portia, a rich heiress who lives in Belmont, Antonio has no ready money for him. Thus, Antonio asks Shylock, a Jewish usurer for a loan. In fact, Shylock has been bearing him a grudge for a long time, just because Antonio often reviles him in the Rialto and once called him a misbeliever, cut-throat dog as well as spat at him due to their different religious beliefs. Shylock thinks the opportunity of taking revenge is coming, so he says yes to Antonios request to borrow three thousand ducats, however, the condition is that Antonio would loss a pound of his flesh if he is not able to return them before the deadline. Antonio is very confident and signs the bond. With the money, Bassanio went to Belmont. To marry Portia is not easy, because although Portias father has died, he left three caskets used to choose husband for her. The first casket is made of gold, the second of silver, and the third of lead. Among the three caskets, only one contains Portias portrayal and the person who chooses the casket can marry Portia. All the other suitors either refuse to solve the puzzle or choose wrong ones, but Bassanio chooses correctly and wins Portia. When Bassanio and Portia are immersed in the joy, bad news comes that none of Antonios ships arrive safely and a pound of flesh will be taken from his body. Portia left her husband Bassanio and take her dowry which is worth six thousand ducats to go to Venice. She wants to buy off the Jew.When the case is heard, the Duke advises Shylock to forgive Antonio and Bassanio offers to repay him six thousand ducats, but he refuses both of their proposals. When Antonio is about to die, Portia arrives, disguising herself as a doctor of laws. At first, Portia pretends to stand by Shylock and earns Shylocks praise. However, just when Shylock is about to cut into Antonios flesh, Portia stops him. She points out that Shylock must cut exactly one pound of flesh without shedding a single drop of blood. Otherwise, he will earn the wages of sin and all his possessions will be taken by the state, because he as a Jew commits the crime of murdering a citizen. Shylock realizes that he cannot succeed. So he tells the Duke that he agrees to accept the six thousand ducats and tries to leave at once, but Portia doesnt let him go on the ground that he intends to attack Antonio and the intention has become a crime. Although Shylock is free from death, half of his wealth is forfeited to Antonio and half to the state. Antonio, of course, shows his generosity ,who is willing to renounce his half provided that Shylock converts to Christianity and gives his money to his daughter Jessica and Lorenzo, the gentleman who “stole his daughter. After the trail, a letter comes saying that the rest of Antonios freights came back, which makes him once again wealthy. The play ends with the failure of Shylock and the happiness of three Christian couples. II. Shylocks Dual CharactersAmong the works written by Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice is the most contradictory one. And among the figures in this comedy created by Shakespeare, Shylock is the most contradictory one. Therefore, he is always the target on which many literary critics comment. Traditionally, people define Shylock as a sheer villain, together with Abagong, Plyushkin, Eugenie Grandet, they are called the worlds four major stingy people. However, as time goes by, people begin to hold different opinions. Some people even adopt a completely different attitude towards him. For example, there are writers emphasizing that Shylock is a hero who fights for his personal dignity and national dignity (Jiang Chuhua & Jiang Chubo, 2008, p. 44).Every coin, however, has two sides. Although these opinions have some rationality, they just revealed one aspect of a contradiction. Its difficult to say the character is totally kind-hearted or vicious. This paper supports that Shylock is a many-sided figure which should be looked at from different perspectives so as to get a comprehensive understanding of the artistic image. There are two sides in Shylocks character: on the one hand, he is a greedy, cruel and inhuman usurer, on the other hand, he is a diligent merchant, a good husband and a brave warrior fighting for his race and religion. His cruelty and inhumanity let the readers feel hatred towards him, but the insults, pains and unfair treatment imposed on him also arouse readers sympathy for him. Considering the religious, economic and racial factors of that age, it can be concluded that he is not a natural born monster, but a pitiful victim of that age.2.1 The Vicious Aspects of Shylock2.1.1 Shylock as a Mean, Cruel MoneylenderShylocks attitude towards money particularly shows his greediness. As a usurer, he always extracts the payment of the money he lent with severity. He works exclusively for profit. When Antonio asks him for money, Shylock uses a storyJacob grazes sheep for his uncle Laban. The story shows that Shylock is not satisfied with the interest he receives from money-lending. He wants to take his wealth as ewes and hopes that they can produce money like ewes breed lambs. To his myrmidon Launcelot, Shylock requires him to work hard like a slave and does not give him enough food to eat so that he is determined to leave Shylock to work for Bassanio. Whats more, Shylocks comment on Launcelot is very caustic. He tells his daughter that Launcelot is a huge-eater and very lazy. He seems glad that Launcelot leaves him, thus he can save some money.To his daughter Jessica, he even thinks money is more important than her. When Tubal tells him Jessica hasnt been found, he just told Tubal “Why, there, there, there, there! A diamond gone, costs me two thousand ducats in Frankford!” (Shakespeare, 1998, p. 86). His words show that what he cares most is his costly diamond instead of his daughters whereabouts. Then Tubal tells him his daughter spent in Genoa, one night fourscore ducats, he replies that he wants his daughter to die in front of him at once. In his eyes, there is only money. In court, when he hears that his wealth will be forfeited, he cries that taking away his money is equal to killing him. In his eyes, money is as important as his life, or even more important than his life!Besides, Shylock is very cruel, for he is bent on getting a pound of Antonios flesh. His cruelty and inhumanity is intensively revealed in court. The Duke believes he will show his mercy and advices him to forgive Antonio, he refuses. Bassanio promises to repay him two times the debt, he not only doesnt change his mind a slight but also says that even every ducat in six ducats becomes six ones, he will not accept and still requires to carry the punishment. Antonio compares Shylocks stone-heart as “flood”, “wolf” and “the mountain pines”, which especially shows Shylocks cruelty and callosity. Portia gives a long speech about mercy, he also doesnt get touched. Shylock is so spiteful that he even whets his knife before Antonio. 2.1.2 Shylock as a Cruel and Atrocious AvengerShylock, at the same, is a cunning and tricky character. From above analysis, we know that Shylock is a miser who puts money in the first place. However, now that he knows Antonios trade is not running well, why he runs the risk to lend the money. In fact, he secretly plans to grasp this golden opportunity to set a trap for Antonio. Cutting a pound of flesh is equal to killing him. To the villain, for one thing, the desire of revenge can be satisfied. for another, as long as Antonio, a stone on his rode to wealth being moved, he can run his business more smoothly. A kind of deed killing two birds with one stone!In order to take revenge for Antonio, he refuses bassanios offer to pay him more times money that Antonio lent, and says that“If you offered me six times what you have just offered, I would still take my pound of flesh. Give me my pound of flesh!In the court, he finally shows his true feeling and says“I ask for what is mine by law! He has insulted me, laughed me, scorned my nation , cooled my friends ,and what is his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew hands, organs, sense, affections, passions? If a Jew wrongs a Christian, What is his humanity? Revenge. Now, he, a Christian wrongs me, a Jew, What should I do? Of course revenge. That is what you teach me. I will execute it and shall go hard.”(Shakespeare, Act 12).From Shylocks different attitude towards Antonio, We can find at the beginning , Shylock has already set up a trap for Antonio and waits for the moment when he can pour out his grievances and puts on airs.2.2 The Good Aspects of Shylock2.2.1 Shylock as an Intelligent and Diligent MerchantShylock is very rich, but his wealth, which is evidence of his professional success, doesnt come easily. Although the play doesnt give accurate account of how he achieves success, considering the Jews economic situation at that time, its safe to draw the conclusion that his road to wealth must be difficult. When Bassanio tell him that the bond can be signed by Antonio, he analyzes Antonios financial situation and raises a query on Antonios ability to return the money. He says that one of Antonios merchant ships bound for Tripolis, one for Indies, one for England and another is at Mexico. He thinks trades on sea are risky. He must put much energy and time to gather information, update them constantly so that he can know others various businesses so well.As a businessman, certainly he is very shrewd, but meanwhile he is trustworthy, or else Antonio would not borrow money from Shylock who he looks down upon very much instead of asking other friends or merchants for help. So it can be deuced that as a usurer, he virtually has a good reputation, even his foe borrows money from him. Without diligence and business savvy, how he can attain todays achievement?2.2.2 Shylock as a Good Father and HusbandShylocks wife dies early. It is him whoendured a lot of hardship to bring up his daughter. He loves his daughter very much, and the evidence is as follows.First, in Act II Scene 5 he educates his daughter to pay attention to her behavior, because at home she can gormandize, snore and tear clothes, but outsides she will never be allowed to do so. It seems that she can have everything done in her way except being forbidden going out. We can conclude that Shylock dotes on his daughter at home. Second, in Act II Scene 5 when Launcelot calls Jessicas name directly, Shylock gets angry and abuses him. Why? Lets analyze the reason. For one thing, Launcelot is a servant whose social status is low. It is impolite to call his master by name. He thinks this action will make Jessicas social status be threatened. For another, Launcelot is one of the Christians who he thinks are unreliable and have bad personal security. So when he rebukes Launcelot, indeed he is protecting his daughter.Third, in Act II Scene 5, before Shylock goes to dine with Bassanio, he hands Jessica his keys, which shows that he trust his daughter. Jessica is asked by her father to lock up the door, shut the windows and not to look people on the street which seems a kind of freedom restriction. But the fact is that he doesnt want his daughter to be influenced by the Christians. In his opinion, its good to his daughter.Finally, in Act II Scene 8, Solanio describes Shylocks frenzy and distress when knowing that his daughter takes his money and elopes with a Christian he hates very much. Shylock utters in the street, “My daughter! O my ducats! O my daughter! Flied with a Christian!”(Shakespeare, 1998, p. 71). Personally, Shylocks grief over the loss of his daughter is equaled, perhaps even surpassed by his anger at the loss of his money, for he cries out his daughter first. In spite the fact that his