My Evil Not My Fault——An Analysis of the Image of Shylock威尼斯商人 夏洛克人物分析.doc

My Evil Not My FaultAn Analysis of the Image of Shylock摘要 威尼斯商人是莎士比亚著名喜剧之一，而剧中的夏洛克更是一个经典形象，被人们一次次的分析。以前，尤其是16世纪，许多人认为夏洛克贪婪、自私、残酷、狡猾，而他的结局正是这部戏剧称为喜剧的一个原因。但是随着时间的发展，人们开始重新认识夏洛克，发现从夏洛克角度看是一个悲剧。夏洛克还有一些以前没被人们发现的特征：聪明、坦诚、勇敢、富有民族精神，这些特征慢慢地被人们发现。另外，论文分析了造成夏洛克悲剧结局的原因。关键词：夏洛克；宗教；法律；历史；悲剧AbstractThe Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeares most famous comedy in the world. While Shylock is a classical figure and analyzed again and again. Before, especially in16th century, many people think Shylock was a greedy, selfish, cruel and so on, and his final result is a reason that this play is called comedy. As times goes by, people begin to re-analyze Shylock. They found when we analyze this play from Shylocks angle, it is a tragedy. Shylock also has other characters which was not discovered before and gradually accepted now, such as: clever, frank, courageous, rich national spirit. In addition, this paper talk some reasons why Shylock had a tragic result.Key words: Shylock, Religion, Law, History, TragedyContents1.Social Background11.1 The History of the Jewish11.2 The Jewish Question Reflected in The Merchant of Venice22.An Analysis of Shylocks Characters42.1 Hateful Shylock42.2 Different Shylock from another angle53.The Reasons that Cause Shylock have Diversified Character73.1 Religion73.2 Law93.3 Social and Economic Factors103.4 Family and other Reasons114.Conclusion13Notes14Bibliography15Acknowledgements161.Social Background1.1 The History of the JewishThis is an old nationality, and comes into the world with the born of the Judaism. They start in Arabia, and live their life along with the float grass at first. Later, they became the farming nation. In 586 BC, many Jews descent into Babylonian Exile, and were dispersed all over the world. In the period ruled by Rome, Emperor Caracalla of Rome promulgated laws to alleviate ethnic contradictions in 212 AD, which made the Jews have the civil right of Rome in law. But with the times of Rome ending and the Nordic invading, the Jews and the Rome citizen became the denizen. Later, more and more Teutons Christianise ,became Christians. Thus, the boundary between denizens and Teutons were disappearing little by little, they became a big family which all the members believe the Christian. But for the Jews, they insist on their belief and refuse to accept Christianity. Beyond all question, this kind of behavior made them a denizen forever by those Christian, although they escaped from agriculture, smart Jews were still active in various industries in city. Until the 11th century, because many countries in Europe began to revitalizing, as the weak force, the Jews cant compete with them. Thus, in order to live, some of the Jews have engaged in usury. But this behavior made Christian have more reasons to scorn them, for Christians outlook，usury is a violation of the teachings. They considered the Jews just got others achievement. But whats more miserable, the rulers of European countries, through levy heavy tax, confiscation of property, and all kinds of means to cheat, robbed the wealth of the Jews. This made money become more and more important because the money is the only passport for them to live in such oppressed world. From the Middle Ages to early modern times, many folk tales and songs were popular with the Jewish story of the assassination of Christian children. In the era of Edward I(1265-1307) in England, Edward used to expel the Jews, but later, many Jews stayed in England in order to escape persecution by Spanish religious court. These Jews formed a small area. In 1594 years, Elizabeths physicianPortuguese Jews Lopez was accused of poisoning queen insidiously and he was interrogated. Although when Lopez stood next to the gallows, he sworn he was loyalty to the queen and said he worshipped Jesus Christ as the queen, but in London, whether they were noble or common people, people all tended to believe that Lopez was guilty. This was just because he was a Jew, for many prejudice were still kept fully and majestically in the Middle Ages.1.2 The Jewish Question Reflected in The Merchant of Venice The film The Merchant of Venice tells us some information at begin “Intolerance of the Jews was a fact of 16th century life even in Venice, the most powerful and liberal city state in Europe. By law the Jews were forced to live in the old walled foundry or Geto area of the city. After sunset the gate was locked and guarded by Christians. In the day time any men leaving the ghetto had to wear a red hat to mark him as a Jew.” The fact of social condition in England in 16th century was similar to the film described scene. At that time, Christian was in the drivers seat, the Jews had their own belief, so they have not social status and usually were persecuted. From the economic aspect, the Jews were prohibited to possess land, they were not allowed to have house property, because those Christians and officials would confiscate their property, so they had to be as a petty dealer, some of them practiced usurythe lending of money at interest. This made them have little cash and could survive. In law, many decrees were bad for the Jews. As Portia said in the drama：It is enacted in the laws of Venice,If it be proved against an alienThat by direct or indirect attemptsHe seek the life of any citizen,The party 'gainst the which he doth contriveShall seize one half his goods; the other halfComes o the privy coffer of the state;And the offenders life lies in the mercyOf the duke only, 'gainst all other voice(Act iv Scene i). In addition, “Jew” has another meaning in English, such as cheapskate, usurer, profiteer. From this ,we could see the peoples treatment to the Jews in that time.2.An Analysis of Shylocks Characters As we know, Shakespeare is a master no matter past or now, he left many wealth for people. Time and again, his work have been appreciated. Shakespeares Shylock image is fresh forever as other classical figures. People read it, consider it again and again. Following, it is my opinion about Shylock.2.1 Hateful Shylock Before, especially in 16th century, this drama was a comedy no matter from which side, because three pairs of lovers have perfect results. But Shylock as an evildoer has been punished. In the era of racial discrimination, Shylocks final result, without doubt, its a good thing for clapping and cheering. While the words which describe Shylock are disdainful: greed, cunning, cruel and so on. Like Shylock said, many Christians and people will say the same as Antonio said “misbeliever, cut-throat dog”. Such Shylock, people will list many reasons and facts to illustrate how bad he was. He hates Antonio obviously, and wants to revenge by chance, so he signs the contract which he will cut a pound of Antonios meat if he couldnt return money on time. This will kill Antonio possibly and solve the problem about which he always worried. But he artfully said “I say, to buy his favor, I extend this friendship: If he will take it, so; if not, adieu; for my love, I pray you wrong me not”(Act i Scene iii). Being greedy and stingy, he reprimands his servant greedy and treats his daughter also stringy. When he knows his daughter escaped with a Christian, and takes him many ducats, Shylock shouted in the street “My daughter! Oh, my ducats!” and curses “I would my daughter were dead at my foot, and the jewels in her ear! Would she were hearsed at my foot, and the ducats in her coffin!”(Act iii Scene i). Certainly, people think the worst place was that he crows over Antonios ship were sunk, people persuaded him, but he said “Gaoler, look to him: tell me of mercy; This the fool that lent out money gratis”(Act iii Scene iii). When Bassanio wants to return him two, three times money, he refuses and insists on carrying out the contract. With the development of fighting against racism, and the Holocaust by Hitler during the World War , gradually, the topic about the Jews were no longer a joke. People found The Merchant of Venice is not just a comedy. When we analyzing it from Shylock, it is a tragedy. Moreover, Shylocks tragedy is no longer a joke, people began to re-analysis. He is greedy, because he is a business; he is a usurer, and this results from social conditions. He is cruel to Antonio, because he hates Antonio, and Antonio spits on and curses him, and that he borrows money without interest. But these are parts of Shylocks characters. We should analyse from other point of view.2.2 Different Shylock from another angle In the film, Shylocks first appearance was reviled by Antonio. For the situation, if you are Shylock, what will you do? For the most part, you will fight back. But in that social condition, many people hate the Jews, and push out the usurer like Shylock. Like Shylock said in the play “for sufferance is the budge of all our tribe”(Act i Scene iii). What he does is just wipe his face with his sleeve, and watch at Antonios back with the hateful feeling in his eyes. Why, as an ancient Chinese saying “A little impatience, a great ship”, facing Antonio, how does Shylock to use to fight against Antonio? He can do only with patience. There is no much justice in society, I think Shylock has a good characterendurance, just for this character make him process many ducats in that time. For the second time, Bassanio borrows money from Shylock. “Three thousand ducats; well?”, “For three months; well?”, “Three thousand ducats, for three months and, Antonio bound?”(Act i Scene iii). From these words and Shylock hesitates, we could see clever Shylock knows Bassanio lack substance and has no ability to return money, but when he knows Antonio bounded, he recognizes that the chance comes. But he doesnt directly fight against Antonio. He lists an example of Jacob and says some complaining words, declared “And thrift is blessing, of men steal is not.”(Act 1 Scene iii), then talk about Antonio who spits on and cursed him, but his national spirit makes him tolerant. In this time, I think Shylock must think like that: Now, you want borrow money from me, what will I do? How can I let you go so easily? He makes Antonio signs the contract, and shows his friendly words to Antonio. How could you say Shylock isnt clever? In the whole drama, Shylock was the most frank man. He never mask his greed. In the market, he can loudly say he hates Antonio, “More than a lodgd hate and a certain loathing I bear Antonio, that I follow thus a losing suit against him”, “I am not bound to please thee with my answer”(Act iv Scene i). Like what he said, he just did himself, didnt want to please others. When Bassanio wanted to return him money two, three times, he refused, and insisted on cutting a pound of Antonios meat. I think it is only the respect to the contract, but also the expression of national spirit that the oppressed fight against the Christians. At the same time, he had encourage to face the failure and the misfortune, he could defy power, insist on settling the problem by law. Although he failed, he didnt ask for something, for Portias intercede, he said “Nay, take my life and all; Pardon not that”( Act iv Scene i). Faced with the final result of loss freedom of belief, he said nothing and agreed to sign. In addition, Shylock was the most pitiful man. He loves his daughter, but she leaves him, and takes away lots of money. His only souvenirturquoise, this is the present sent by his sweet wife when they had not married, but his daughter uses it to trade a wild monkey. Shylock was originally very confident to win the lawsuit, but lost finally, and lost all the money and forced to change his religion.3.The Reasons that Cause Shylock Has Diversified Character From above analysis we can see Shylock has various characters. When we see from Christian, Shylock is a cruel, cunning Jew and a greedy, stringy usurer. His result is Antonios tolerance. But when we see from the angle of the Jews and against racial discrimination, I want to say Shylock was clever, frank, rich national spirit, of course, he had a businessmans characteristics. Shylock was complex, and the reason are various.3.1 Religion3.1.1 The Jews and Christians Judaism and Christianity comes from the same religion, they were both born in Holy City of Jerusalem in Palestine, but Christianity came from Judaism, and originally it is a branch of Judaism faction. In the early millennium BC, Judaism was born in the process of “the Prophet Movement” in Palestinian, which is based on polytheism in primitive society and developed gradually. Jews worship the Lord and recognized it as “the only true God”. They declared the Jews is the Lord “selected subjects”. Before or after hundred of years in AD, they proclaimed the Jews will be rescued by “the Savior”. After the 2nd century AD, the Christianity whose members were mostly the laboring masses and always under suppress has been changed in nature, because many rich men joined it and gradually took the leadership of the Christianity. They began to walk a moderate line, and paid attention to love “love your enemy”, “suffer injury but no threatening words”, etc. So the religion was no longer a threat for the rulers. Instead, it became a tool which used by the rulers. Later, the location of Christianity become the state religion by the Rome Emperor. Later, all the rulers liked it. Thus, Christianity developed rapidly in Europe, and even all over the world. The process which Christianity from illegal to legal is the refection which the increasing incisive contradiction between Christianity and “mother religion”. In order to be powerful, in order to have more force and Christians, they vilified the Jews in public. They put aside the Jewish Bible called the Old Testament, and called another part which Christian added as the New Testament. This means that they wanted to tell people, the contract between God and the Jews had past, God has signed a new contract with Christian. They preached Jesus was the Messiah, and accused the Jews of being connected with the devil, and driven by the devil. They told the Jews was the man who God hates him and killed the Prophet. In all the accusations, the most malicious and the most far-reading effect is the core part of the against the Jews in the New TestamentAs disciples of Jews, Judas betrayed Jusus for 30 ducats. It is the Jews who made the Jesus crucified. Facing the rapid development of Christianity, Judaism was limited to the development of the members in the Jews, and the Judaism became the religion of the Jews. They think outside of the “God allowed” land as tabernacle. The Jews didnt recognized that Jesus is the Messiah, and did not think the Messiah had come yet. They should continue to wait.