Chapter 2 "Eye for an Eye"

Mr. Du Heng re-read Shakespeare's Biography of Caesar "recently, out of the mood of 'it is better to read an old book than a new one'".This reading is quite relevant, and as a result, we can read his new article from the old book: "The Crowd Shown in Shakespeare's Biography of Caesar" (see the first issue of "Literary Landscape" [3]). This script, Mr. Du Heng "translated it in two months", which shows that he read it very carefully.He tells us: "In this play Shakespeare describes two heroes—Caesar, and... Brutus. . . Sius, and Antony, who seemed so insensitive and bewildered on the surface." But the final victory belonged to Antony, and "it is obvious that Antony's victory was by the strength of the crowd", so it is even more obvious that even if "even said , the masses are the invisible masterminds at the bottom of this play, so it’s not too much.”

But what is this "invisible master brain"?After the narration and quotations, Mr. Du Heng concludes—by no means a conclusion, this is what the author is unwilling to say—— "In many of these places Shakespeare never forgot to represent the masses as a force; but this force is only a blind violence. They have no reason, they have no clear conception of interests; their feelings are completely controlled by several It is controlled and manipulated by demagogues.... Of course, we cannot rashly affirm that this is the essence of the masses, but if we say that this is how the great playwright sees the masses, we will probably not be wrong. This view, I know, will greatly offend the author on many friends who estimate the reason and feelings of the masses in another way. As for me, I honestly think that my judgment on these matters is still beyond Above my ability, I dare not say a word..."

Mr. Du Heng is a writer, so this article is very well done and very modest.To say, "Damn the crowd is blind!" is liable to be offended by the brutality of its presentation, even if it is based on "reason"; view", what do you think? "Sunday words can be said without words" [4], at least you have to politely scratch your head, if you have not translated or carefully read Shakespeare's "Caesar" - you can only say that this judgment, It is "beyond my ability". So we are all irresponsible, just talking about Shakespeare.Shakespeare's plays are indeed great. Just from the points introduced by Mr. Du Heng, it has really broken the high theory that literature and art have nothing to do with politics.The masses are a force, but "this force is just a kind of blind violence. They have no rationality, and they have no clear concept of interests." According to Shakespeare's performance, at least, they smashed the golden signboard of "rule by the people", not to mention other?Even at present, Mr. Du Heng is unable to judge these issues.A copy of "Caesar's Life" is extremely powerful even if viewed as a political theory.

However, Mr. Du Heng sweated for the author because of this, fearing that "the author will greatly offend many friends who estimate the rationality and feelings of the masses in another way."Naturally, for Mr. Du Heng, this must be thought of, and he should cherish this author who gave him wisdom from the "Biography of Caesar".However, it is too disregarding the facts to judge the kind of "friends" with certainty.Now not only Mr. Shi Zhecun has seen the "ugliness" of Shakespeare's upcoming rehearsal in the Soviet Union (see the September issue of "Modern") [5], even in "Das Kapital", he often quotes Shakespeare's famous sayings Is he guilty?In the future, I am afraid that someone will not necessarily cite "Hammonlet" [6] to prove that there are ghosts, let alone someone who blames Shakespeare for his superstition because of "Hammondlet". ], with general knowledge of Mr. Du Heng.

Besides, Mr. Du Heng's articles are written for people who are in the same mood as him, because those who read the new book "Literary Landscape" certainly do not think that "rather than reading a new book, it is better to read a new book." A friend who feels like an old book.However, when I read a new book, I don’t just read "Literary Scenery". There are many books about Shakespeare. ) instigated.In addition to paying attention to the author's time and environment, those "friends" will also know that the material of "Caesar" is taken from Brutsch's "Heroes" [8], and that Shakespeare turned from comedy to comedy. Into the first part of tragedy; the author is frustrated at this time.Why, I still don't quite understand.But in short, when making a judgment, one must think of it, and it may not be as happy and simple as Mr. Du Heng predicted.

As far as the views on "the masses shown in the biography of Caesar in Shakespeare's play" alone, there are many people who have different eyes from Mr. Du Heng.Now I will just copy the opinion of Mr. Lev Shestov [9] who hated the October Revolution and fled to France, and here is the conclusion— "In addition to the above, there is one more man who is active in Julius Caesar. That is the composite figure. That is the people, or 'the masses.' It is not for nothing that Shakespeare is called a realist.No matter at that point, he never flatters the masses and assumes an ordinary character.They are frivolous, careless, cruel.One day he followed Pompeii's chariot, the next he called Caesar's name, but a few days later, he was deceived by the eloquence of his traitor Brutus, and secondly he approved of Antony's attack, demanding that he just now The head of the red man Brutus was taken.People often resent the unreliability of the masses.But in fact, isn't there something that applies the ancient law of justice of 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'?Looking at it from the bottom up, the masses originally despised the likes of Pompey, Caesar, Antony, and Cinna[11], and they also despised the masses on their side.Caesar holds power today, long live Caesar.It's Anthony's turn tomorrow, so just follow him.As long as they give them food and shows, that's fine.There is no need to think about their achievements and the like.Their side is also very clear, giving some tolerance like a king, so as to reap rewards for themselves.It is a fact that in the chain that throngs these vain people there are now and then a man of integrity like Brutus.But who has the leisure time to find a single pearl from the sand accumulated on the mountain?The masses are the food for the hero's cannon, and the hero, in the eyes of the masses, is but an afterthought.In the meantime, justice prevails, and the curtain falls. "("The Problem of Ethics in Shakespeare [Play]")

Of course, this is not necessarily a correct view. Not many people say that Heinstov is a philosopher or a writer.But it is just this little point, it can be seen that although the "Biography of Caesar" is also viewed from the perspective of the masses it shows, the result is already so different from Mr. Du Heng.And it can be inferred that, as Mr. Du Heng expected, "the author will greatly offend many friends who estimate the rationality and feelings of the masses in another way". Therefore, Mr. Du Heng need not worry about Shakespeare.In fact, they understood each other very well: "Cassius, who is sinister and despicable, and Antony, who appears so numb and confused on the surface", even the crowd at that time was "just a sideshow".

September 30th. CC [1] This article was originally published in the "Literary Forum" column, No. 5, Volume 3, of the "Literature" monthly magazine in November 1934, signed by Falcon.On September 30 of the same year, "Lu Xun's Diary": "An article on "Resolving Qi Worry" written by night", that is, this article. "An eye for an eye", see "New Testament Matthew" Chapter 5, verse 38: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." [2] Shakespeare (W Shakespeare, 1564-1616) was a British dramatist and poet during the European Renaissance. "Caesar Biography", that is, "Eulius Caesar".It is a historical drama with Caesar as the main character.Caesar (GJ Caesar, 100 BC - 44 BC), an ancient Roman general and statesman.In 48 BC, he was appointed dictator for life. In 44 BC, he was stabbed to death by the republican leader Brudus (approximately 85-42 BC).After Brutus assassinated Caesar, he fled to the eastern territory of Rome, gathered an army, and prepared to defend the republic; in 42 BC, he was defeated by Caesar's general Antony (about 83-30 BC) and committed suicide.Cassius (? - before 42), the governor of Rome, the accomplice in the assassination of Caesar, was also defeated by Antony and committed suicide.

[3] "Literary Landscape" monthly, edited by Shi Zhecun, first published in June 1934, with only two issues published.Issued by Shanghai Guanghua Book Company. 〔4〕 "The words of the Sunda language can be said without words," Confucius said.See "The Analects of Confucius Zihan" for language. The original work of "Xunyu" is "Xunyu". According to Zhu Xi's "Jizhu": "The Sunda language is eloquent and guided." "Shuo" is the same as "Yue". 〔5〕The Soviet Union will rehearse Shakespeare's "ugliness" Shi Zhecun said in "I and Classical Chinese" published in the fifth issue of the fifth volume of "Modern" (September 1934): "Soviet Russia initially 'overthrew the Shakespeare', and later 'Adapted Shakespeare', now, isn't it going to 'rehearse the original Shakespeare' in the drama season?... Isn't this kind of political strategy applied to literature, isn't it chilling!" "Modern Times ", Literature and Art Monthly, edited by Shi Zhecun and Du Heng, was founded in Shanghai in May 1932 and ceased publication in May 1935.

[6] "Hammenlet" Shakespeare's famous tragedy.The ghost of old Hamlet, the Danish king who was poisoned to death, appears several times in the play. 〔7〕 "Hanging the people and punishing crimes" is a sentence in the primary reading book "Thousand Characters" in the old school. "Diaomin" originally came from "Mencius Teng Wengong": "Put the king and hang his people." "Fight crime" originally came from "Zhou Li Xiaguan Da Sima": "Save the innocent and punish the guilty." [8] Brutarch (Plutarch, about 46-about 120) is a general translator of Plutarch, an ancient Greek writer. "Heroes", that is, "Greek and Roman Celebrities", is the earliest biographical literary work in Europe. Later, many poets and historical playwrights chose themes from it. [9] Hinstov (UVJHIG, 1868-1938) Russian literary critic.After the October Revolution, he went into exile and lived in Paris.Author of "Shakespeare and his critic Brandes", "Dostoevsky and Nietzsche" and so on.

[10] Pompeius (G Pompeius, 106 BC-48 BC) was an ancient Roman general who was in power in 70 BC; later fought for power with Caesar, was defeated by Caesar in 48 BC, fled to Egypt, and was assassinated by his subordinates . [11] Cinna (LC Cinna) served as the governor of Rome in 44 BC.When Caesar was assassinated, he sympathized with and publicly praised the assassin.