A Study On Main Characters In The Merchant Of Venice From The Perspective Of Gender Performativity Theory

As one of Shakespeare's four great comedies composed in the Renaissance,The Merchant of Venice wins the attention of scholars ever since its inception.Based on main clue of borrowing money for seeking marriage and cutting flesh for repayment,the play not only narrates a love story but also exposes gender problems in society.Besides,gender subversion made by characters is an exploration of gender notion beyond its times.In the light of the famous post-modern feminist scholar Judith Butler's gender performativity theory,this thesis explores the protagonists' gender performances and their subversion of traditional gender conception.By analyzing queer performance between Antonio and Bassanio,this thesis demonstrates that their same-sex love is doomed under the oppression of heterosexual hegemony;by interpreting Portia's language,it expounds that her cross-dressing behavior in fact is the real manifestation of her inner gender,and the male lawyer performance is her attempt to subvert the collusive relation between gender and power system;besides,this thesis also studies Portia's reconstruction of her new gender identity as well as her intelligent practice of speech act theory at court to complete her lawyer performance etc.In addition,by exploring gender subjects in The Merchant of Venice,this thesis believes gender theme presented by Shakespeare has essential significance for promoting advancement of gender concepts in that era and even today.Among which,queer performance inspires people a more inclusive attitude towards gender orientation and queer groups;Portia's drag blurs gender boundary,which makes herself freely transformed in the same physical body;while her successful interpretation of male lawyer identity is an endeavor to break the restriction on female development generated by patriarchal society.Consequently,Shakespeare's description of gender issues indicates the profound connotation of gender liberation.Through the interpretation of gender issues in The Merchant of Venice,this thesis reveals the subversion and rebellion against the traditional gender conception.Besides,this study hopes to motivate readers to rethink about the gender issues,and encourages scholars to interpret Shakespeare's works from new perspectives.