英语论文-莎士比亚悲剧故事中男主角的悲剧分析

二〇一〇届本科毕业论文
The Tragical Fate of Male Protagonists in Shakespearean Tragedies
莎士比亚悲剧故事中男主角的悲剧分析
学院：外国语学院
专业：英语
姓名：
学号：
指导教师：
完成时间：2010年4月
二〇一〇年四月
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis.
My deepest gratitude goes first and foremost to Professor xxx, my supervisor, for her constant encouragement and guidance. She has walked me through all the stages of the writing of this thesis. Without her consistent and illuminating instruction, this thesis could not have reached its present form.
Abstract
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is the representative of the European Renaissance writers．In the course of a quarter century, Shakespeare wrote some thirty-eight plays. Several of them are among the world's finest written works；Taken collectively, they establish Shakespeare as the foremost literary talent of his own Elizabethan Age and, even more impressively, as a genius whose creative achievement has never been surpassed in any age.
His creations reflect the British politics, ideology, culture, customs and traditions for a wide range of time. His plays occupy an important position in the European theater development or literary development，his tragedy even reach its peak level in the history of the world literature.
This article will start with the cultural origins of Shakespeare's creation, to analyze the tragic figures and the subjective sense of the male protagonists which lead them in achieving the same tragic endings toward life, showing the similarities of the male protagonists in Shakespearean tragedies, and explain the features of the humanities and the social realities of European Renaissance.
Key Words: Shakespeare; male protagonists; tragical life
摘要
莎士比亚（1564-1616）是欧洲文艺复兴时期的代表作家。

在25年的写作过程中, 莎士比亚写了37部戏剧。

其中有好几部都在世界最好的作品之列。

大家都公认莎士比亚是伊丽莎白时期最具有文学天才的文学大师,而且更令人惊叹的是,作为一个天才,他的创作成就从来没有被任何时代的任何一个人超越过。

他的创作广泛的反映了当时英国的政治，思想，文化，风俗，习惯。

他的戏剧在欧洲戏剧发展史或文学发展史上占据重要的地位，而他的悲剧在世界文学史上更是达到了登峰造极的地步。

本文将从莎士比亚创作的文化渊源入手，剖析其悲剧人物中男主角在殊途同归走向人生悲剧的主观感情意识，展示其主要悲剧男主角的某些共性，解释欧洲文艺复兴时期的人文风貌和社会现实的某些特征。

关键词：莎士比亚；男主角；悲剧
Table of Contents
1 Introduction (1)
1.1 A brief introduction of William Shakespeare and his literary
achievements (1)
1.2 A brief intrduction of the four tragdies (3)
2 The similarities of the 4 male protagonists (4)
2.1 Their similar family background (4)
2.2 Their similar life experience (6)
2.3 Their similar tragic ending (11)
3 The reasons for their tragic ending (14)
3.1 Their characters (14)
3.2 Their social background (19)
4 Conclusion (21)
References (23)
1 Introduction
1.1 A brief introduction of William Shakespeare and his literary achievements
William Shakespeare, English poet, dramatist, and actor, often called the English national poet and considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time.
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon, a small town to the northwest of London. His father was a burgher, a well-to-do glove maker and later became an alderman of the town. Shakespeare have attended the grammar school of the town where he have learned ―little Latin and less Creek‖, as noted by his contemporary Ben Johnson. From various records it is clear that his father John Shakespeare, having enjoyed prosperity in business for some time, became less prosperous and Shakespeare have helped him in his butcher‘s shop. A bond dated Nov. 26, 1582, affords clear evidence that Shakespeare married with Anna Hathaway of Stratford. At this time Shakespeare was only eighteen, and the bride was eight years older. It was a hurried marriage，a forced marriage and an ill-matched one, because their first child Susanna was christened on May 26, 1583，only six months after their marrage.. In 1584 Shakespeare left his native town. Then until 1592 when he reappeared as a rising actor. During the period he is said to have wandered through the country, finally coming to London, where he performed various mean jobs, even including holding horses at a theater. The most recent attempt to bridge the gap in his life is a suggestion that he have spent much of the time in the Low Countries in service in the armies of the Earl of Leicester.
The earliest record of Shakespeare‘s career is a reference in Robert Greene‘s essay in which Shakespeare is mentioned as ―an upstart crow…in his own conceit the only shake scene in a country.‖ In 1594 his name appeared on the payroll of Lord Chamberlain‘s company of actors, or Lord Chamberlain‘s men at the Globe Theatre.
Shakespe are‘s career as an actor and playwright stretched for more than twenty years. Many of his plays were popular and quite a number of them were published in his lifetime without his knowledge. After his death a collection of his plays, 37 in all, were published in folio form by two of his friends in 1623. In the early years of his
career Shakespeare was a shareholder in the playhouse. In 1611 or 1612, he retired or partly retired from London and went back to live in his native town. His rising pretension during the years of his success may be indicated by the fact that he bought a coat of arms for his father in 1596. He died in Stratford in 1616.
Shakespeare‘s writing career may be roughly divided into four stages
The early years were years of his apprenticeship, dating from 1592 to 1594. During this period he wrote his early history plays or histories and a group of comedies. They are King Henry VI in three parts (1590-1592), Richard III (1593), Two Gentlemen of Verona (1594), and Love‘s Labor Lost (1594). This is a period of experimentation. It is marked by imitation of existing plays, by the spirit of youthfulness and rich imagination, by exaggerated language and by the frequent use of rhymed couplets.
The second period is a period of rapid growth and development, dating from 1595 to 1600. Such plays as Midsummer Night‘s Dream (1595), Romeo and Juliet (1596), The Merchant of Venice (1597), the two parts of Henry IV (1597-1598), As You Like it (1598), Julius Caesar (1599), and Henry V (1599), were all written in this period. They show more careful and artistic work, better plot, and a marked increase in the knowledge of human nature.
The third period is a period of gloom and depression, dating from 1601 to 1608. It is a period of his tragedies, such as Hamlet (1601), Othello (1604), King Lear (1605), and Macbeth (1605).
The fourth period is a period of restored serenity, from 1608 to 1612. It is a period of calm after storm, with such plays as The Winter‘s Tale 91610) and The Tempest (1611).
Shakespeare was not only a great dramatist, but also a great poet. Apart from his sonnets and long poems, his dramas are poetry. They are rich in images, conceit, metaphors and symbols. He was well versed in writing lyrical verse as well as poetry of great passion and agony. His style varies with the different moods he expressed. It can be lyrical, poetical, ecstatic, pathetic, cynical, sarcastic, and ironic.
1.2 A brief introduction of the four tragedies
The four Tragedies of Shakespeare including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, which are the most famous works of Shakespearean tragedies. And the four stories are legends from the history of Europe.
1.2.1 Contents of Hamlet
Hamlet tell us a story about Hamlet, prince of Denmark, when he home funerals, the ghost of his father said that he was not died of normal reason, and urged Hamlet to revenge for him. However before any action, Hamlet pretended that he was crazy, and arranged ‗play in the play‘, in order to confirm that the new king killed the old. After killed the minister by mistake, Hamlet was sent abroad. As h e knew the new king‘s thought in advance, he half-way turned back.Then the new king prepared exotic wine and arrow,provoking a duel between Hamlet and the son of the minister, and planed to kill Hamlet. In the end, the three of them died together, and Hamlet‘s mother also died accidentally because the Venom.
1.2.2 Contents of Othello
Othello told us a story about the general of Venice, Othello, who is also a Moral; he fell in love with the old general‘s daught er Desdemona. However they had to fight against the disagreement of Desdemona‘s family before they became to be husband and wife. Then they went to the war place together. However, just because personal emotion to Othello, Iago, a soldier under Othello told a lie and said that Desdemona has had relationship with other soldier and was not honest. Othello believed the lie and killed his wife. In the end, the lie was broke, and Othello was so regret that he killed himself.
1.2.3 Contents of Macbeth
Macbeth is a story of Macbeth, the general of Scotland. He was inspired by the witch and killed the king under the inspiration and his wife‘s words. Then he always
dream bad dreams with an abnormal emotion, and so was his wife. At last, his wife killed herself in a crazy mood. And finally the prince of Scotland called a war to fight with Macbeth, Macbeth failed and died.
1.2.4 Contents of King Lear
K ing Lear is a story of Lear, the king of Britain. At first, he divided the whole county into three parts, thinking of an average inhibition. The truth was that he gave all his property to two of his elder daughters, just because he was cheated by the beautiful words of the two. As to the small daughter, she had to leave her county and married with the prince of France far away just because she was honest and loyal. Instead of a happy life, King Lear experienced a very tough time and died of emotional and physical panic.
2 The similarities of the 4 male protagonists
2.1 Similar family background
No matter it is Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, or Othello, they are all born into families with privilege and power.
2.1.1 Hamlet’s family background
Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, and the new king, his uncle said:
―we pray you…think of us
As of a father: for let the world take note,
You are the most immediate to our throne;
And with no less nobility of love
Than that which dearest father bears his son，
Do I impart toward you.
……
And we beseech you, bend you to remain
Here, in the cheer and comfort of our eye,
Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.‖(Hamlet, act one scene two,1999)
Although Hamlet‘s father has died, and the new king is his uncle, he still has all the things he should have as a prince. His position has never changed; he even has more love he can receive from his uncle than from his father. He is the most immediate to be a king; he has no less nobility, the state of being noble; he is the chiefest courtier, cousin, and son. He can has the same position as the king and queen in Denmark. The courtier belongs to him, the country still belongs to him.
2.1.2Othello’s family backgroud
Othello is a captain, leader of a group which always fights against with the enemy. Even the duke of Venice regards him as ―valiant Othello‖; when there enemy is coming, the fist sentence the duke said to Othello is ―we must straight employ you against the general enemy Ottoman‖. And the reason is:
―The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for
Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best
known to you; and though we have there a substitute
of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a
sovereign mistress of effects throws a more safer
voice on yo u.‖
Montano also praise him ―tis a worthy governor‖ (Othello,act one scene three, 1999)
As he has a good position, has the duke‘s reward, also has others‘ praise, what is more, he has a very beautiful wife, so we know that he really should enjoy his life.
2.1.3 Macbeth’s family background
Macbeth is not a king or a prince, but he also has a good poison. He is the ―valiant cousin, worthy gentleman‖, even the king of Scotland said:
―Thou art so far before
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow
To overtake thee
…
Only I have left to say,
More is thy due than more than all can pay.‖ (Macbeth, act one scene four, 1999) The king thinks highly of Macbeth, and regards his contribution as the most important thing which even the highest reward cannot come level with.
Even Macbeth himself said:
―He hath honour‘d me of late; and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss?‖(Macbeth, act one scene seven,1999)
From these words we know that not only the king regard Macbeth highly, but also Macbeth himself enjoy his status and the highest honour.
2.1.4 King Lear’s family background
Lear is the king of Britain. He has the highest position in his country, he can decides others life, he can do everything he wants to. In the beginning of the story, he
“Divided in three of our kingdom: and ‗tis our fast intent
To shake all cares and business from our age;
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we
Unburthen‘d crawl toward death.‖(King Lear, act one scene one,1999)
Because he has the highest right in the country, he can divides the whole country into three parts, and gives all these three parts to his three daughters for dowry. For himself, as he is at his old age, he wants to be unburdened and enjoy his life. However, when his little daughter Cordelia do not have the ―glib and oily art‖―to speak and purpose not‖, he said
―Be tter thou
Hadst not been born than not to have pleased me better.‖ (King Lear, act one scene one,1999)
He is the king, so he has the power to make you rich or poor. You please him, you can lead a better life; you do not please him, you are nobody, even though you are his daughter. He himself is the law, is everything.
2.2 Similar life experience
Even though all the four protagonists have a really high position, they all experienced a tough life.
2.2.1 Hamlet’s life experience
In the beginning of the story, Hamlet returned his country for his father‘s funeral but found that his mother would marry his uncle a month later. As a boy who was grown up in such a royal family, he had never been so sorrowful. When his mother and his uncle married, he told his mother:
―tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected ‗havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly‖(Hamlet, act one scene two, 1999)
Even he obeyed his uncle‘s promise: the highly position and reward, he said:
―O, that this too too solid flesh would melt
Thaw and resolve it self into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix‘d
His canon ‗gainst self-slaughter!
……
Within a month:
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,
She married. O, most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
……
But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue.‖ (Hamlet, act one scene
two,1999)
When his friend Horatio said he comes to see the funeral, Hamlet said; ―I think it was to see my mother‘s wedding‖.
‖the funeral baked meats
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day‖ (Hamlet,act one scene two,1999)
Even a person who was feed up in a poor family and experienced a tough life can not bear such a thing, mother remarried with ones uncle one month later after father‘s funeral. One can never imagine how a person likes Hamlet to bear things up. The worse thing is, right after the mother‘s wedding, Hamlet was told that his father was died for being treated wrongly. The fact is that Hamlet‘s father was killed by his uncle. After knowing the truth, Hamlet was full of sorrow and struggle; he has to revenge for his father, but he does not know how and when, his life can never be happy again. In the end, he succeeded to revenge for his father, but he also lost his mother and his beloved, even the life of himself.
2.2.2 Othello’s life experience
Though Othello has the highly reward and also a very pretty wife, he should have a really good life and avoid any tough experiences, he lands himself into a situation of mistrust and misunderstanding.
At first he said:
―Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul
But I do love thee! And when I love the not,
Chaos is come again.‖ (Othello,act three scene three,1999)
Desdemona is such an excellent woman that Macbeth indeed love her very much, he said when he does not love her, the world will be in disorder and he himself will
suffer the everlasting punishment even after death. However, under the lie and malign of Iago, he doubted and hesitated. Days latter, he said:
―O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem with woman‘s tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile
Out of my sight!‖ (Othello,act four scene one,1999)
And then he said to Desdemona:
―Come, swear it, damn thyself
Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves
Should fear to seize thee: therefore be double damn‘d:
Swear thou art honest.(Othello,act four scene two,1999)
He believes that Desdemona is a strumpet, and stifles her. At last, he found that he was deceived. He was so sad that he killed himself. But before he and Desdemona died, they really suffered too much. A sweet couple quarrels with each other and became enemies and died in the end, what a tragic life it is!
2.2.3 Macbeth’s life experience
Macbeth is the worthy gentleman, captain of the king, he has the most highly reward; however he killed the king just because he believed the witches‘ words. Even became a king can not make Macbeth happy:
―To be thus is nothing
But to be safely thus. –our fear in Banquo
Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear‘d: ‗tis much he dares…(Macbeth, act three scene one,1999)
Macbeth then sends some murderers to kill Banquo and his son, when the murderer told him that Banquo‘s son escaped, he said:
―Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect,
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air:
But now I am cabin‘d, cribb‘d, confined, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears.‖ (Macbeth, act three scene four,1999)
Then under Hecate, the mistress of the witches‘ plan, Macbeth ―Spurn fate, scorn death, and bear‖, ―hopes above wisdom, grace and fear‖. (Macbeth, act two scene five,1999)
―bloody, bold and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man‖; ―lion—mettled, proud; and take no care who chafes, who frets, or whe re conspirers are‖(Macbeth, act four scene one,1999)
Because of the sheer brutality and bloody outrages, Macbeth‘s wife became spirit division and died of the great pressure; for Macbeth, he lost the war which was launched by Duncan‘s son Malcolm and also died.
2.2.4 King Lear’s life experience
As a king, Lear gave all his property to his two elder daughters, and think they will treat him as what they said:
―I love you more than words can wield the matter;
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyo nd what can be valued, rich or rare…‖ (Goneril)
Or
―I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys,
Which the most precious square of sense possesses;
And find I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness‘ love.‖ (King Lear,act one scene one, 1999)
On the contrary, right after they got the things of value, Goneril said to Regan: ‖sister, it is not a little I have to say of what
Most nearly appertains to us both. I think our
Father will hence to-night.‖
And Regan ―that‘s most certain, and with you.‖
Then Goneril told her steward:
‖ by day and night he wrongs me; every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other,
That sets us all at odds: I‘ll not endure it
……
When he returns from hunting,
I will not speak with him; say I am sick
If you come slack of former services,
You shall do well.‖ (King Lear, act one scene three,1999)
―Put on what weary negligence you please,
You and your fellows;…
If he dislike it, let him to our sister,
Whose mind and mine,…
Not to be over-ruled. Idle old man,
That still would manage those authorities
That he hath given away! Now, by my life,
Old fools are babes again; and must be used
With cheques as flatteries, --when they are seen abused.‖(King Lear, act one scene three, 1999)
Then Goneril cut down fifty of her father‘s followers, within a fortnight. And the worse thing is, not only she herself treats her father so badly, but also she writes to her sister, to hold her ―very course‖.
As a father, Lear really can not put up with the indignity which received from his daughter Goneril, so he left for his second daughter Regan. The things which he had never imagined is that on his way to Regan‘s mansion house, Regan and her husband went to Gloucester‘s house in order to support her sister Goneril and refrain from seeing Lear. There, they try their best to reduce the attendants of Lear, accuse him, and even refuse to supply the necessities for him. Then Lear, a king, really can not accept the truth, he was too sad to stay with his daughter, and went out in the wild night.
His heart was broken; his mind was irritated badly and suffered a lot: not only a tough life, but also a crumble spirit. In the end, his little daughter Cordelia came back to rescue him, unfortunately, they both died.
2.3 Similar tragic ending
2.3.1 Hamlet’s tragic ending
In order to take part in his father‘s funeral, Hamlet returned to his country, but found that his father died an unnatural death, and actually the murderer is his uncle, the people who married his mother. In order to revenge for his father, Hamlet feigns madness and acted like an idiot. During the period he is planning and hesitating, he killed his beloved Ophelia‘s father by mistake. Then Ophelia was so sad that she became crazy and drowned at last. After that, in order to revenge for his father, Ophelia‘s brother Laertes decided to contest with Hamlet. Actually the competition itself is a conspiracy, because Laertes prepared a sharp sword which even with poison and Hamlet‘s uncle also prepared poisoned drink in order to kill Hamlet. However, the sword also killed Laertes himself and the king, and the drink even killed Hamlet‘s mother. Just because the selfish desire, Hamlet‘s uncle killed Hamlet‘s father; and in order to revenge for the father, Hamlet died, his mother died, his beloved Ophelia died, Ophelia‘s father and brother died, and the new king, Hamlet‘s uncle also died.
2.3.2 Othello’s tragic ending
Othello has contributed a lot and got the highly reward, but he still does not lead a happy life. He believed his gentleman Iago‘s plot and lies, regarded his wife as a lewd and firmly believed she has the illicit sexual relations with others especially his adjutant Cassio. Then he hated Cassio so much just because envy the things which do not happen, and killed his wife and Cassio.
He said:
―Had it pleased heaven
To try me with affliction; had they rain‘d
All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head.
Steep‘d me in poverty to the very lips,
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes,
I should have found in some place of my soul
A drop of patience: but, alas, to make me
A fixed figure for the time of scorn
To point his slow unmoving finger at!
Yet could I bear that too; well, very well:
But there, where I have garner‘d up my heart,
Where either I must live, or bear no life;
The fountain from which my current runs,
Or else dries up; to be discarded thence!
Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads
To knot and gender in!‖ (Othello, act four scene two,1999)
Finally he understood that all the things was set by Iago, he was so regret that he killed himself.
2.3.3 Macbeth’s tragic ending
As a person who has rendered the outstanding service, Macbeth does not be content with his lot, but believed the witches‘ falsehood and have the wild ambition to be a king. He then killed the king, and led a life which is alarmed, frightened and uneasy. Both he and his wife are mentally confused, his wife even died of the great pressure and anxiety. As time went by, Macbeth changed:
―I have almost forgot the taste of fears;
The time has been, my senses would have cool‘d
To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair
Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir
As life were in‘t: I have supp‘d full with horrors;
Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts
Cannot once start me.‖ (Macbeth, act five scene five,1999)
Macbeth and his wife‘s brutal and immoral spark off a war which was led by the son of the king. Finally, he lost the war and died. Then he understands:
―Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,
For it hath cow‘d my better part of man!
And be these juggling fiends no more believed,
That palter with us in a double sense;
That keep the word of promise to our ear,
And break it to our hope.‖ (Macbeth, act five scene eight,1999)
2.3.4 King Lear’s tragic ending
As a king and father, Lear divided his property to his daughter with the best of intentions; but the daughters really show no filial duty. They treat their father so badly that the father was too sad to live with them any more and leave their house for the spare land in a stormy night, not with a thing in the world, contending with the fretful element.
―This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
And bids what will take all.‖(King Lear, act three scene one,1999)
―When the rain come to
Wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when
The thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I
Found ‗em, there I smelt ‗em out.…
They are not men o‘ their words: they told me I was every
thing; ‗tis a lie, I am not ague-proof.(King Lear, act four scene six,1999)
Even the followers of Cordelia said:
―A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch,
Past speaking of in a king!‖ (King Lear, act four scene six,1999)
Knowing the father was suffering, Cordelia guide some soldier to liberate him, but the result is she was killed and the father was so sad that also died.
3 The reasons for their tragic ending
3.1 Their characters
Among all the reasons, the tragical character of those four male protagonists is an important one, which should never be ignored, leading to their tragic ending.
3.1.1 Hamlet’s character
Hamlet is a person who is oversensitive and always hesitates.
When the ghost of his father told him that his father was treated wrongly and died unnaturally, and asked him to revenge, the first thing he did was make his friends to swear do not let others know the case, and the second thing he did is to pretend crazy and try his best to prove it. Because he is oversensitive, he has to care and protect himself from harm and make sure everything is clear. Then he planed a play, and ensure that his uncle do killed his father. He decided to revenge, but before his action, he always hesitates.
―To be, or not to b e: that is the question:
Whether ‗tis nobl er in the mind to suffer
The sling s and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No mor e;…To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there‘s the rub(Hamlet,act three scene one,1999) To live or to die, it is a question. To bear the arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against the troubles, it is still a question. Even to die, to sleep, perhaps will have dream; and the dream is the obstacle. Once he has a chance to action when his uncle was praying, he hesitates again:
―Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;
And now I will do‘t. And so he goes to heaven;
And so am I revenged. That would be scann‘d:
A villain kills my father; and for that,。