摘 要本文首先分析莎士比亞主要的喜劇作品中的女性形象，綜合得出莎士比亞在其喜劇作品中塑造的一系列豐富生動、光彩動人的女性群像的共同特征，即肯定女性的智慧, 謳歌女性的美德, 贊美女性不畏強暴勇于追求的氣概；還提出在她們身上體現出了對新人文主義的生活原則和理想的追求,她們是人文主義的典范；最后指出當時的政治經濟背景以及文藝復興運動時期的人文主義思潮對當時的社會以及莎士比亞的深刻的影響，即伊麗莎白統治下的社會以及以人為本的社會思潮。關鍵詞：莎士比亞；喜劇；形象；共同特征；背景中國最大的論文知識平臺ABSTRACTThis paper first analyzes some women images in Shakespeares main comedies, on such basis, it concludes the common features of the series of those rich female imagery in Shakespeares comedies. It affirms womens wisdom; eulogize the virtues of women; and praise the courage of not fear for violence and the spirit of pursuing their ideals. The paper also explores the life principles and the pursuit of ideals of new humanist that reflected on them. They are the models of humanism. At the end of this paper, it points out the profound influence of the political and economical backgrounds and the thoughts of humanism of the Renaissance period on the society as well as on Shakespeare at that time, that is, the society under the rule of Elizabeth I and the people-centered social thoughts.Keywords：Shakespeare; comedies; imagery; common feature; backgroundsContents1. Introduction12. The common features of the females in shakespeares comedies22.1 External beauty22.2 Internal beauty22.2.1 The pursuit of love22.2.2 Loyalty to friendship32.2.3 Extinguished wisdom32.2.4 Noble morality42.3 Round personality43. Reasons of shaping those female images63.1 Backgrounds63.1.1 Political and social background63.1.2 Economic background83.1.3 Humanism93.2 Symbol meaning of those female images114. Conclusion13Acknowledgements14References151IntroductionShakespeare is perhaps the most quoted author in literature. Shakespeares early years was his comedy times, he created many famous comedies such as The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Twelfth Night and so on. In those comedies, he made an analysis of the unique style and the witty remarks in the description of the beauty of women images and the profound connotations of thought in Shakespeares comedies, holding that the beauty of women images should be embodied in the harmony of self-respect, independence, amiability, devotion to love and the relationship of human beings and that of human beings and nature. Starting from the exploration of human civilization and the progress of society, the paper expounds the truth that mercy conquers cruelty; friendship conquers enmity; wisdom conquers ignorance, and justice conquers evil. Therefore the ideal beauty of humanism is realized. All of those women images symbolize the impact of humanism.2. The common features of the females In Shakespeares comediesWomen images in Shakespeares comedies have unique style and the witty remarks in the description of the beauty and the profound connotations of thought. The beauty of women images were embodied in the harmony of self-respect , independence , amiability , devotion to love and the relationship of human beings and that of human beings and nature.2.1 External beautyFemales in Shakespeares comedies always had beautiful outside. In “The Merchant of Venice” Bassanio once said, “In Belmont is a lady richly left; And she is fair, and, fairer than that word, Of wondrous virtues: sometimes from her eyes I did receive fair speechless messages: Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued To Catos daughter, Brutus Portia: Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth, For the four winds blow in from every coast Renowned suitors, and her sunny locks Hang on her temples like a golden fleece; Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos strand, And many Jasons come in quest of her. O my Antonio, had I but the means To hold a rival place with one of them, I have a mind presages me such thrift, That I should questionless be fortunate” 11. That is Portia. Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing” is a precious jade which is worthy of all the worlds wealth. Viola in “Twelfth Night” causes Miss Count to fall in love with her at first sight even she is dressed as a man.2.2 Internal beautyWomen in Shakespeares comedies are all beautiful ladies with rich inner beauty and rich Personality such as their special opinions about purchasing their true love, great loyalty to friendship, having outstanding wisdom and noble morality.2.2.1 Pursuit of loveIn Portias mind, the nobles are all dull and have nothing available but enjoy their lives. “First, she said that the Neapolitan prince is a colt indeed. Then there is the County Palatine. He doth nothing but frown. The French lord, Monsieur Le Bon hath a horse better than the Neapolitans, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine; he is every man in no man. Then, to Falconbridge, the young baron of England, How oddly he is suited. The young German, the Duke of Saxonys nephew is very vilely in the morning, when he is sober, and most vilely in the afternoon, when he is drunk: when he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast. ” 11 Portia would not be controlled by power or property. In order to find the true love, she went against her fathers will. Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing” is a noble, but her mind is filled with humanism. She thinks that the qualification of an individual is the basic standard of choosing her lover, not the property or noble classical or power. She calls for the equality of both male and female; stick to individual independence, and safeguards womens dignity. She said “But manhood is melted into courtesies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.” 24 2.2.2 Loyalty to friendshipPortia is a generous lady. When she heard that Bassanios friend is in danger, she said to Bassanio, “Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond; double six thousand, and then treble that, before a friend of this description shall lose a hair through Bassanios fault. First go with me to church and call me wife, and then away to Venice to your friend; for never shall you lie by Portias side with an unquiet soul. You shall have gold to pay the petty debt twenty times over: When it is paid, bring your true friend along. My maid Nerissa and myself meantime Will live as maids and widows.” 13 After saying this to her husband, she later dresses up as a man and finds a way to release Antonio from his bond with Shylock, when no one else is able to. She proves to the audience and to her friends that even though she might have been perceived as an unlessond, unschoold, unpracticd girl, her inner self, posses the strength, intelligence and experience that enables her to do what she did.When Beatrices cousin Hero is wronged and slandered by Heros husband Claudio in the wedding part, she insisted that her cousin was innocent and angrily said “O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.” 242.2.3 Extinguished wisdomIn Shakespeares works, women are always wiser than men. They stay calm and never draw back when confronting frustration and difficulties. Portia in “The Merchant of Venice” is learned and capable. She saved Antonios life with her wise and talent words: “Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh. Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more But just a pound of flesh: if thou cutst more Or less than a just pound, be it but so much As makes it light or heavy in the substance, Or the division of the twentieth part Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn But in the estimation of a hair, Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.” 14Another example is Viola who in Twelfth Night falls in love with the Duke Orsino. She boldly posed as a boy and masquerading as a young castrato under the name Cesario. Viola is lively and enthusiastic, with gentle but masculine, and her intelligence, eloquence eventually made her gain the goodwill of the Duke.2.2.4 Noble moralityFemale in Shakespeares comedies have had the lofty morality strength, they always have appeared before the common people with friendly consummate attitude. They can always help others and embody the harmony between humans. They cherish friendship, love. They go completely the opposite way to the code of ethics and go against tradition. Such description and narration by Shakespeare embody that harmonious relationship should be established. Those women images reflect the strength of love and hate.Celia in “As You Like It” was a person who cherish friend much more than her life. She comforted Rosalind whose father was exiled, “You know my father hath no child but I, nor none is like to have: and, truly, when he dies, thou shalt be his heir, for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce, I will render thee again in affection; by mine honour, I will; and when I break that oath, let me turn monster: therefore, my sweet Rose, my dear Rose, be merry.”31 Celia fought against her father in order to safeguard her pure friendship with Rosalind. 2.3 Round personalityWomen in Shakespeares comedies are those female have original characters. What they reflect is the purchase of personality freedom, the character of personality liberty of the new bourgeoisie females in the United Kingdom or even the whole European continent in the renaissance period. In their opinions, family status, grade and money are no longer the amatory basis; they hold the power to make decision of happiness on their own hands. In order to pursue a life of happiness and free love, they dare to break through the feudalism fence, having self-judgment, defying father rights and the regime.Hermia in “A Midsummer Nights Dream” dared to fight against her father in order to have marriage freedom. “So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, Ere I will my virgin patent up Unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke My soul consents not to give sovereignty.” 41 Such frank character, such disregard of feudal dignity, and behavior to fight for the right of free love prominently displayed the courage of the new bourgeois female.3. Reasons of shaping those female imagesThe Elizabethan Age the period during which Elizabeth I (15581603) was Englands ruling monarch is often thought of as a golden age in the countrys history. It was the highpoint, for example, of the English Renaissance, and poetry and literature truly thrived. It was the time of Elizabethan theatre, when William Shakespeare and his contemporaries wrote new, dynamic, groundbreaking plays. Moreover, the Elizabethan era was one of unprecedented expansion and exploration abroad, while within England itself, the Protestant Reformation was influencing the thought and approach of the population as a whole.Elizabeths reign was marked by her effective use of Parliament and the Privy Council, a small advisory body of the important state officials, and by the development of legal institutions in the English counties. Elizabeth firmly established Protestantism in England, encouraged English enterprise and commerce, and defended the nation against the powerful Spanish naval force known as the Spanish Armada. Her reign was noted for the English Renaissance, an outpouring of poetry and drama led by William Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser, and Christopher Marlowe that remains unsurpassed in English literary history.3.1 Backgrounds of Shakespeares time 3.1.1 Social and political backgroundShakespeares comedies are almost created in his early time, in which is the peak of Elizabethan era. The Elizabethan Age is viewed so highly because of the contrasts with the periods before and after. It was a brief period of largely internal peace between the English Reformation and the battles between Protestants and Catholics and the battles between parliament and the monarchy that engulfed the seventeenth century. The Protestant or Catholic divide was settled, for a time, by the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, and parliament was not yet strong enough to challenge royal absolutism. England was also well-off compared to the other nations of Europe. England held on to the Church of England throughout Elizabeths reign and those who disagreed on religious grounds, such as the Puritans set out for the Americas and settled in and around Boston, Massachusetts.Elizabeth realized the importance of securing the cooperation of powerful men in order to rule effectively. She made extensive use of the Privy Council and summoned ten parliaments during her reign. She used Parliament to raise taxes and to endorse her policies, but also allowed its members to suggest laws regarding local issues, something rarely permitted by prior monarchs. The House of Lords and the House of Commons both grew in size during her reign.Elizabeth effectively expanded royal government by increasing the role of sheriffs in the counties and by relying upon justices of the peace to perform the basic administrative work of local government. Thousands of gentlemen served in this capacity, each an official, if unpaid, member of the regime. Meeting in quarter sessions, justices enforced everything from the Poor Laws to statutes against theft. At the center of her government, Elizabeth was fortunate in having a succession of capable ministers. Elizabeths accession marked the final change in the nations official religion. Elizabeth inherited a highly charged religious situation, which she handled with great skill. Although there was never any doubt she would return England to Protestantism, Elizabeth had to contend with opposition from both Catholics and radical Protestants. Catholic bishops and peers controlled the House of Lords and fought Elizabeths first attempts to bring back Protestantism. Protestants exiled under the reign of Mary I returned to England, and many brought with them new and radical Protestant ideas, especially those of John Calvin, a French religious reformer. Calvin stressed the importance of predestination, the belief that salvation was predetermined for some people and not for others. Calvin also wanted the clergy to play a less important role in the state church and to concern themselves with preaching the gospel rather than in becoming bishops.Under Elizabeth, England again broke with the pope, Catholic services were forbidden, priests were allowed to marry, and relics and decorations were removed from the churches. In attempting to diffuse the religious situation, Elizabeth tried to accommodate Catholic sensibilities in matters she judged less essential. She used Parliament to establish the official doctrine of the new church, which ensured that the voice of Catholic peers would be heard. Under the Act of Supremacy, she assumed the title of Supreme Governor of the Church, rather than the title of Supreme Head, a move to placate critics because Supreme Governor sounded less powerful. She would not allow retaliation against those who had assisted Mary, and she treated with some leniency those who refused to swear an oath to her supremacy.Elizabeth viewed the church as an inseparable part of her monarchy and would not tolerate challenges to it. Such challenges came from both Catholics, who clung to the old faith and plotted to remove the queen, and from Puritans, radical Protestants who wanted to abolish all traces of Catholicism.3.1.2 Economic backgroundEconomically, the country was beginning to benefit enormously from the new horizons offered by trans-Atlantic trade. Elizabethan England had an active role in the slave trade and the repression of Catholic Ireland. Despite the great achievements seen during the Elizabethan era itself, it is worth noting that the country descended into the Civil War (1642-51) less than forty years after Elizabeths death.All told, Elizabeth certainly provided the country with increasing overall prosperity. Having inherited a practically bankrupt nation, her cautious, frugal approach instigated a new sense of economic responsibility. The founding of the Royal Exchange (1565) the first stock exchange in England and one of the earliest in Europe proved an enormously valuable step for the economic development of England and, subsequently, for the world in general. Taxes were lower in England than other European countries at the time, as the economy expanded although the nations wealth was undoubtedly distributed unevenly, there was certainly more money in the states coffers at the end of Elizabeths reign than there had been before her accession. And, it was precisely this general peace and prosperity that allowed the wonderful achievements that are associated with the era with the golden age of Elizabethan England.The nation that Elizabeth inherited was experiencing a steady increase in population. The continued population growth placed strains on the economy, which was made worse by serious harvest failures in every decade of Elizabeths reign. Prices for food and clothing skyrocketed in what became known as the Great Inflation. The 1590s were the worst years of the century, marked by starvation, epidemic disease, and roving bands of vagrants looking for work.Elizabeths government enacted legislation known as the Poor Laws, which made every local parish responsible for its own poor, created workhouses, and severely punished homeless beggars. Parliament also passed bills to ensure fair prices in times of shortage and to regulate wages in times of unemployment. One of the queens most important economic decisions was to issue a new currency that contained a standard amount of precious metal. This raised confidence in the currency and also allowed businesses to enter into long-term financi