威尼斯商人中的女性人物分析.doc

对威尼斯商人的分析An Analysis of The Merchant of VeniceName:Zhao Feifei Class:5 No.014001085002IntroductionWhen we refer to the English Literature,we must think of the giant, William Shakespeare. He had been universally acknowledged to be the summit of the English Renaissance, and one of the greatest writers all over the world. In addition, he is also the most famous playwright in the history of drama art in the world. During the 22 years of literary career, he produced 37 plays, 154 sonnets and some long poems. Among all his plays, his four great comedies(The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Nights dream, As You Like It and Twelfth Night)and four great tragedies(Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macber)are the best which have a great influence on the later literature of England and even the world. But we all think that Hamlet is the most successful one of the tragedies.As we all know that The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeares most famous works. It is a comedy which reflects some real social problems, relating in laws, parents will, private benefit, power, judicial, mercy, wit, love, cruelty. Through depicting the conflict between Shylock and Antonio critique coldness, cruelty and praise handsome, friendship and love. It shows the heavily flavor of humanism at the beginning of capitalist society; and express some thoughts for society and human being. It displays the thoughts of feudalism personality liberation, and stressing the great break through of womans status and feminine consciousness in Elizabethan era.1. Analysis of Major CharactersShylockThe name “Shylock” maybe has some certain symbolize of special character and thought which comes from Hebrew having the meaning of Cormorant. Since Cormorant and grim are often connecting together, it is used to refer to avaricious money-lender. The image of Shylock is also very powerful. Besides being an avaricious money-lender. He is a Jew of pride and deep religious instincts. He has suffered much in the hands of the Christians. His revolting and revenge bond is counterbalanced by Antonios arrogant treatment of him. So his loud protest against racial discrimination can not be altogether ignored by the audience. Through narrating their conflict among the pond of flesh reveals Shylocks avaricious, cruel. He is a representative of feudalism supporter, miserly and prosaic money-lender in original capital.PortiaPortia is one of Shakespeares ideal women, beautiful, cultured, qui-witted, courteous, and brave to pursue her love. It is no surprise that she emerges as the antidote to Shylocks malice. At the beginning of the play, however, we do not see Portias potential for initiative and resourcefulness, as she is a near prisoner, feeling herself absolutely bound to follow her fathers dying wishes. This opening appearance, however, proves to be a revealing introduction to Portia, who emerges as that rarest of combinations-a free spirit who abides rigidly by rules. Rather than ignoring the stipulations of her fathers will, she watches a stream of suitors pass her by, happy to see these particular suitors go, but sad that she has no choice in the matter. When Bassano arrives, however, Portia proves herself to be highly resourceful, begging the man she loves to stay a while before picking a chest, and finding loopholes in the wills provision that we never thought possible. Also, in her defeat of Shylock Portia prevails by applying a more rigid standard than Shylock himself, agreeing that his contract very much entitles him to his pound of flesh, but adding that it does not allow for any loss of blood. Anybody can break the rules, but Portias effectiveness comes from her ability to make the law work for her.Portia rejects the stuffiness that rigid adherence to the law might otherwise suggest. In her courtroom appearance, she vigorously applies the law, but still flouts convention by appearing disguised as a man. After depriving Bassano of his ring, she stops the prank before it goes to far, but still takes it far enough to berate Bassano and Gratian for their callousness, and she even insinuates that she has been unfaithful. Antonio A Venice merchant who is the best friend of Bassano and often supports him with money. He is wealthy, but at the start of the play, all of his money is tied up with his five ships which are at sea. He takes a loan from Shylock, a Jewish money lender who he has mistreated in the past. The forfeiture of the bond is a pound of his flesh. Antonio is an example of what is considered a “good Christian” in the playhe is generous and by their standard, “merciful.” BassanoHe is best friends with Antonio and often depends on him for money. He owes several debts to Antonio, but requires another loan in order to go to Belmont and attempt to win Portia. He wins her by making the wise decision in the lottery her father has set up and becomes her husband. He shows himself to be a loyal friend to Antonio when he returns to help him escape the forfeiture of the loan from Shylock. His character is an ambiguous figure in the play because he shows himself to be loyal to Antonio, but his giving up of the ring Portia gave him is an act of disloyalty2. Literature ViewShakespeare lived in an age when the old feudal social and economic order was being destroyed and a new capitalist society was being born and when London took a leading part in that destruction and that new birth. The theatrical companies actively participated in all the current affairs of London and by their performance helped to propagate new ideas. Whatever foreign country or whatever historic era the dramatists depicted in their plays, the audience understood that contemporary England was meant. This is a key to the correct understanding of the Elizabethan plays.3. Motive and Significance Just like tragedy, comedy plays an important role in reflecting history and culture. Histories make men wise, poets witty. Tasting classical, reads the mind of talent helping us understand the English well. If one wants to learn a foreign language naturally, it is necessary to know its culture, especially some most outstanding parts. Writing this essay is to praise humanism, mercy, friendship and women consciousness, personality liberation. ConclusionTo sum up, in the Merchant of Venice, Portia is beautiful, cultured, courteous and capable of rising to an emergency. Antonio is generous, kind and warm-hearted. The friendship and love are true and beautiful. They are all good representatives of humanity. The theme of this play is to extol kindheartedness,