Another "Hamlet"

Saul bellow (1915-2005) is often considered as one of the most important Jewish writer in America and the best writer after Hemingway and Faulkner. Being the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1976, he has made a great contribution to the contemporary literature in the twentieth century. Herzog, Bellow's sixth novel, first appeared in 1964. It is generally agreed that Herzog is Bellow's most accomplished work and it receives an extraordinary amount of public attention, both from literary critics and ordinary readers.This thesis directs to the study of modern men's dilemma based on the theory of parody, through comparing the two classic characters–Hamlet and Herzog. It can be divided into six parts: The introductory part, in addition to presenting a brief introduction to the purpose and significance of this essay, it also provides some information about the author and literary review of the previous criticism both aboard and home. In chapter one, according to the theory of parody by Simon Dentith, it shows detailed information about parody, such as its definition, history of parody and its application to novels. This will offer a solid basis for study of the whole essay. Chapter two: Although Hamlet and Herzog live in totally different world, it still can find out there are some similarities between them no matter on their awful experiences, chaotic minds and hesitant revenges. In chapter three, it reveals the apparent differences between two characters. According to the theory of parody, it can come to a conclusion that Hamlet is portrayed as a hero in his times, while Herzog is considered to be an anti-hero in modern times. In chapter four, it will discuss the function of parody, in virtue of the problems of Herzog to reveal the dilemma of modern men, trying to find out that it is this chaotic and absurd world should be responsible for these anti-heroes'alienation. The last part is the conclusion.