Comparative Analysis of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night Based on Greimas' Narratology

Abstract

The structural comparison and analysis of narratives, by identifying intra-textual elements and examining the governing pattern within them, not only facilitate the recognition of similarities and differences but also enable a more profound understanding of the narrative work, highlighting its value and aesthetic qualities. The foundation of the structuralist approach is based on analyzing the structure and identifying the realities and relationships among the internal components of a narrative work. In this regard, various models have been proposed, among which the most contemporary model that explains structure and the interrelation of characters is the actantial model of Algirdas Julien Greimas. Accordingly, the present study, using a comparative-analytical approach and a library-based research method, examines the relationships and interconnections of characters in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night, employing Greimas' actantial model. The objective of this study is to compare, analyze, and examine the structural components in both surface and deep structures, connecting them to their central elements to eliminate ambiguities and enhance the understanding of both narratives. The findings suggest that Greimas' actantial model is effective in comparing and analyzing The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night, allowing readers to easily identify the similarities, differences, and character relationships in both stories.