The Contrast of the Eastern and Western Feminism in the Middle Age  
 —Take Shakespeare’s Othello and Liyu's Feng Qiu Huang as Examples

Abstract

Shakespeare's plays have always been the forefront of feminist criticism. The colorful images of female character in his plays have provided a wealth of material for feminist critics. Feminism has become the most active and the most influential genre in the study of Shakespeare in the 1980s. And Liyu，who lives in Ming and Qing Dynasties, is our country's greatest opera writer. His works has been of concern to feminist critics because of female characters. They are courageous, prudent and frank, with the courage to pursue gender equality and marital happiness. So are there any feminist commonalities and differences in these works? What is the deep cause of these differences?

This paper takes feminist theory as the theoretical basis and takes Othello ,one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies and Li Yu's Feng Qiu Huang ( is called Huang Qiu Feng as well ) as the research object, trying to compare and analyze medieval Western and eastern feminism in opera. Firstly the concept of feminism and the main genres are explained. Then the previous feminist commentary on the works of Shakespeare is summed up as well as on the works of Liyu's. Then, the sprout of feminism symbolized from Desdemona, Qiao Menglan, Cao Wanyshu and Xu Xianchou is compared through the analysis of dialogue, plot and character respectively. Finally, the traditional culture and gender positioning are used to reveal that traditional Western culture dualism leads to sharp opposition between men and women. Desdemona's pursuit of marriage freedom reflects of Liberal Feminism. However, the concept of yin and yang in Chinese traditional culture, the idea of filial piety and nepotism in the traditional gender relations give a mutual harmony, indivisible gentle characteristics and gender flexibility. The process of three females' pursuit of Sir Lv reflects the establishment of a comprehensive and harmonious partnership with male and a celebration of individuality and Independent personality. That is the content of Post-modern feminism.

Key words:  feminism, Shakespeare, Liyu, play, culture