Abstract

    The Merchant of Venice, a comedy by Shakespeare, portrays a typical Jew named Shylock in Renaissance period. Most readers believe that Shylock is shrewd and foxy, show sympathy for Antonio and feeling glad to see Shylock published at last. However, few readers pay attention to the motivation of Shylock, just simply ascribing this to Shylock’s contemptible character. But if we make a further analysis of the play, we may find the reasons why Shylock would do so. There are many factors leading to Shylock’s abnormal psychology. Therefore, this thesis is a detailed study of the characterization of Shylock as a rebel from three aspects：a rebel against racial discrimination，a rebel against religion repression，and a rebel against economic system.

Keywords:  The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, rebel

摘 要

  《威尼斯商人》是莎士比亚的一部喜剧作品，刻画了文艺复兴时期一个典型的犹太人形象—夏洛克。大多数读者认为夏洛克是精明狡猾，同情安东尼奥，对夏洛克得到应有的惩罚表示欣慰。然而，夏洛克的动机很少受到评论家的关注，但如果深入分析，能找出诸多导致夏洛克变态心理的因素。因此，本文从三个方面来分析出夏洛克作的反抗性格：种族，宗教和经济。

关键词：《威尼斯商人》；夏洛克；反抗

1. Introduction
William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April 1564; died 23 April 1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. The play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and is best known for Shylock and the famous 'Hath not a Jew eyes' speech.
The Merchant of Venice begins from a young noble man coming down the world in Venice Bassanio, who wants to marry a rich girl named Portia, but lacks the money due to his squander. So he asks for his good friend Antonio, a rich merchant, for help. Antonio’s wealth is in the sea, so he can’t offer the cash right now. So they go to borrow 3000 ducats from a Jewish Shylock who practices usury. For Antonio and Shylock have a feud before, they make a scared treaty: If Antonio can’t pay money on time, Shylock would cut one pound of his fresh. Antonio’s ships are devastated at sea, so he had to pay the one pound. However, at last, the judge who is dressed up by Portia said Shylock can’t let Antonio bleed, and Shylock loses the lawsuit at last.