Shakespeare의 작품에 나타난 타자의 봉쇄

Abstract

Every literary work reflects the socio-political situation in a certain age. In this sense it is wrong to overlook the historical background of the period during which a literary work was written. Shakespeare lived and wrote at a time when English mercantile and colonial enterprises were just germinating. That's why he frequently used exotic settings and alien characters in his plays as a means of entertainment to Elizabethan audience who had a growing interest in the world around them. Shakespeare describes his alien characters (Othello and Caliban) as 'others'. Through Othello, Shakespeare suggests a subversive situation which may give rise to identity crisis and the influx of alien culture. Othello's violent attitudes toward Desdemona justifies the antagonism of the-then English society against foreigners, especially blacks. His negative image under the 'thin skin of culture' is revealed and his image as a noble Moor proves to be nothing but a figuration. Caliban, representing a colonial native, is described as a savage who continues committing violent and brutal acts. This clearly shows how Shakespeare distorts alien characters as something mean and low. In a way, Caliban's violation can be interpreted as a political subversion to gain back his lost island. But Shakespeare put great emphasis on the native's brutality and cruelty in a manifest attempt to justify colonialism. All things considered, Shakespeare seems to reinforce the established order based on racial discrimination and colonialism by blaming alien culture for being anti-social.