论莎士比亚《暴风雨》的U型叙事结构_英语论文

An Interpretation of the U-shaped Narrative Structure in Shakespeare’s The Tempest

摘要

威廉•莎士比亚的《暴风雨》是其晚年所著的最受欢迎的作品，它表达了作家对理性和智慧的赞美，强调了忏悔的重要性。

诺斯洛普•弗莱在他的《伟大的代码》中提出了U型叙事结构。本文意在分析戏剧《暴风雨》的叙事结构，以及其如何发展呈现一个状似字母U的结构。剧中的U型叙事结构主要体现在两个方面：一方面体现在普洛斯彼罗的生活经历呈现U型，另一方面则是普洛斯彼罗敌人们的背叛、恶行和忏悔的过程呈现U型。

在莎士比亚时期，理性和智慧被肯定和推崇。莎士比亚在剧中所用的U型叙事结构正是其所在时期的一个反映，表现出了他对社会和谐的真诚希望。

关键词：《暴风雨》；U型叙事结构；理性；忏悔

Abstract

The Tempest, written by William Shakespeare, is probably the most popular play among his last years. It conveys Shakespeare’s appreciation for reason, wisdom and emphasizes the significance of repentance.

This thesis aims to analyze the narrative structure of the play, which develops in a shape of letter U, termed as “U-shaped narrative structure”, which is interpreted by Northrop Frye in his The Great Code. The U-shaped narrative structure of the play can be seen in two aspects. One is the U-shaped structure in the life experience of Prospero; the other is the U-shaped structure in the betrayal and repentance process of Prospero’s enemies. 

The U-shaped narrative structure employed by Shakespeare is a reflection of his time, in which reason and wisdom are valued. It also shows Shakespeare’s sincere hope for social harmony.

Key words:  The Tempest; U-shaped narrative structure; reason; repentance

Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Northrop Frye and the U-shaped narrative structure 2

3 The way down in The Tempest 3

3.1 Antonio’s betrayal: his submission to greed 3

3.2 Prospero’s misery: a valuable suffering 4

4 The lowest point in The Tempest 6

4.1 Killing plans: the satisfaction of one’s immoral desire 6

4.2 Revenge: the punishment on the soul 8

5 The way up in The Tempest 9

5.1 Repentance: the chance of returning to the happy life 9

5.2 Redemption: salvation for Prospero as well as for his enemies 11

6 Conclusion 12

References 14