A Corpus-Based Study on Female Characterization in Shakespearean Plays

This paper adopts a corpus linguistic approach, utilizing the English-Chinese parallel corpus of Shakespearean plays. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the research focuses on the lines of major female characters in the selected plays. Starting from the analysis of modal verbs in these lines, the study examines three plays where female characters occupy significant roles: All’s Well That Ends Well, As You Like It, and Measure for Measure. The original texts and the Chinese translations by Liang Shiqiu and Zhu Shenghao serve as the basis for a comparative analysis of the depictions of three female characters: Helena, Rosalind, and Isabella. The study seeks to determine whether the characterization of these women has undergone any transformation in the translations and to explore the driving forces behind such changes. The findings reveal that Zhu Shenghao's translation tends to intensify the original traits of female characters, reflecting his translation philosophy of "faithfulness" aimed at preserving the author's original intent. On the other hand, Liang Shiqiu’s translation demonstrates a tendency to downplay the assertive characteristics of the female characters, which may stem from his limitations in gender consciousness.