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A Study of the Tragic Figures in the Bible

Author: LiaoYongNi
Tutor: LiZuoBo
School: Central South University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: the Bible tragic figures sin punishment cultural connotation
CLC: I106.99
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2010
Downloads: 404
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Abstract


As a religious canon and a literary classic, the Bible has modeled colorful characters; yet the presence of tragic figures in the Bible is still in dispute. Through close reading and reviewing the tragic theories, the author of this thesis notices that the tragic elements and characters do exist in the Bible. Thus this thesis attempts to interpret six typical tragic figures in the books of Genesis, Judges and Samuel in the Old Testament and the four Gospels in the New Testament, with the expectation to explore the cultural connotations as implied.Apart from the introduction and conclusion, the thesis is divided into four chapters. The first chapter analyses the tragedies of Adam and Jesus, holding that they are the originator and terminator of the tragedy in the Bible respectively. Adam is exiled from the Garden of Eden for his disobedience to God’s words and becomes the human ancestor who commits "original sin", while Jesus, an Incarnation of God, is the terminator of the tragedy in the Bible who atones for the human crimes by his crucifixion on the Cross. The second chapter examines the tragedies of Jephthah and Samson who are victims of the conflicts between the national and individual interests. Jephthah’s tragedy lies in the fact that he is caught in a dilemma of morality and emotion which is caused by his rash vow; Samson’s misfortune is mainly due to his lust for women and the lack of willpower. The third chapter interprets the tragic experiences of King Saul and David, although they are both kings, their tragic experiences vary in many ways. Being a king who is rejected by God, Saul unfortunately becomes the victim of the conflicts between theocracy and kingship. David’s adultery with Bathsheba and his murdering of her husband marks the reversal of his fortune, thus God’s punishment falls on the house. In the last chapter, based on the analysis of previous chapters, the author of this thesis elaborates on the cultural connotations as implied in these tragedies in the Bible, holding that the tragic figures studied in this thesis have demonstrated the suffering in life, the weaknesses of human nature, and God’s love for and dominion on human beings.The analysis of tragic figures and the cultural connotations of tragedies in the Bible, as has been studied in this thesis, can hopefully contribute to and enlarge the literary biblical study in China.

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