莎士比亚《雅典的泰门》中精神的完美与溃败

Spiritual Perfection and Crack-up in Timon of Athens by Shakespeare

本文旨在运用德里达有关"礼物"的理论以及礼物与宗教的关系,阐释莎士比亚在《雅典的泰门》中对宗教的深刻探讨。通过文本细读研究,笔者发现泰门追寻德里达所谓的真正"礼物"是出于宗教迷恋。但是,对"礼物"的宗教追寻及狂热难以超越世俗的交换机制,使泰门从一个显贵转变为一个仇视人类的疯子。"礼物"的"不可能性"打破了泰门自我的完美神秘,精神溃败于世俗交换机制。莎士比亚通过泰门精神的完美与溃败揭示宗教狂热的非理性本质。

This article is intended to illustrate the exploration of religion in Tirnon of Athens by Shakespeare in the light of Derrida＇s theory about ＂gifts＂ and the relationship between ＂gifts＂ and religion. A detailed study on the text of Timon of Athens shows that Timon＇s pursuit of the so-called true gift by Derrida comes out of his religious obsession. Because of Timon＇s religious obsession and pursuit,it is difficult for him to transcend the unreligious exchange mechanism, which causes Timon＇s shift from a generous noble to a mad misanthrope. But the impossibility of obtaining ＂gift＂ in return breaks Timon＇s self demonic mystery and his spirit is defeated by worldly exchange mechanism. By exhibiting the process of Timon＇s spiritual perfection and crack-up, Shakespeare reveals the irrational nature of religious obsession.