A Study Of The Translation And Reception Of Eurinides In China During The First Half Of The Twentieth Century

During the the first half of the twentieth century,an increasing number of intellectuals in China actively learned Western culture,translated and introduced foreign literary works.Many of them were interested in ancient Greek culture,which is recognized as the origin of Western civilization.Ancient Greek tragedy is a significant achievement in ancient Greek literature,so there have been increasing translation and criticism on it.This thesis studies the translation and reception of Euripides’ work,one of the three major ancient Greek tragedians,during the first half of the twentieth century in China as the research object,provides an overview and summary of it,and focuses on one specific work,Medea.By examining its reception and translation,this thesis explores the concrete interpretations of Euripides’ works by intellectuals during the first half of the twentieth centuryThe thesis is divided into five parts:The introduction of the thesis states research significance,previous studies in the field,research ideas,and the innovative viewpoints.The first chapter gives an overview of the introductions of Euripides by intellectuals in China in different fields during he the first half of the twentieth century and summarizes the common characteristics of his image constructed by them.Zheng Zhenduo,Mao Dun,and other intellectuals introduced Euripides as a part of world literary history in their writings.Hong Shen,as a representative of drama practitioners,introduced Euripides in the context of his theatrical advocacy "for people." The translation of Euripides by Luo Niansheng,who was devoted to the study and translation of ancient Greek literature and culture,reflected his commitment to the academic study of ancient Greek literature during the War of Resistance.Chinese intellectuals constructed images of Euripides as skeptics and realists through their reception.The second chapter examines the interpretations of the content and themes of Medea by intellectuals in China.They offered various interpretations of the themes of Medea,such as karma,tragic love,and realistic concerns.In the analysis of the character,Medea,they went through a transition from neglecting to exploring the character’s psychological changes.The analysis and evaluation of the character were divided into different aspects:criticizing her cruelty,regarding her actions as a revelation of true human nature and exploring her positive qualities.The interpretation of the content,theme,and character of Medea gradually became comprehensive and profound.The third chapter mainly analyzes the characteristics of four Chinese translations of Medea duringthe the first half of the twentieth century.Zhao Jiabi’s translation that published in 1935 magnified the terrifying and cruel image of Medea.Shi Pu’s translation published in 1937 emphasized the practical significance of Medea in promoting women’s liberation.Wang Dezhen’s translation published in the Arts Monthly in 1937 adopted a translation strategy of domestication that brought it closer to traditional Chinese culture.Luo Niansheng’s translation published in 1940 was rich in paratexts and reflected strong academic capability and the translator’s efforts to represent the form of ancient Greek tragedy.The translation of Medea in China has gone through a process from translating from the intermediary language to English,to translating directly from the original Greek version.The translators’ different choices gave the Chinese translations different aspects,namely approaching Chinese traditional culture and representing the form of ancient Greek tragedy.Different Chinese translations also contribute to deeper interpretations of both the work and the heroine.The conclusion chapter summarizes the entire thesis.Due to different academic experiences and cultural backgrounds,intellectuals in China have incorporated Euripides into different categories and knowledge systems for reception and interpretation.The reception of Euripides’ Medea during the the first half of the twentieth century in China was influenced by foreign scholars’ works and was closely related to the literary development and literary concepts in China at that time.