The Tragic and Comic Elements in Yuan Zaju — A Study of Classical Chinese Drama
Journal: Arts Studies and Criticism DOI: 10.32629/asc.v5i6.3257
Abstract
This study explores the tragic and comic elements in Yuan Zaju, a significant genre of classical Chinese drama that emerged during the Yuan Dynasty. The paper investigates how these elements are artistically combined to reflect the complexities of human emotions and societal issues. The tragic elements, often centered on themes of injustice and the human condition, are contrasted with the comic elements that use humor and satire to provide social commentary. The characters in Yuan Zaju are portrayed with depth, allowing for a nuanced exploration of both suffering and folly. The structural features of the plays, including dramatic irony and cyclical narratives, enhance the emotional impact and thematic depth. The study concludes that the interplay between tragedy and comedy in Yuan Zaju is a testament to the genre's ability to capture the multifaceted nature of human experience, making it an enduring and powerful form of dramatic expression that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.
Keywords
Yuan Zaju, tragedy, comedy, dramatic expression
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[2]Dong W ,Guangtao C . On the Assessment of the English Translation Quality of Yuan Zaju [J]. Journal of International Education and Development, 2024, 8 (6): 88-94.
[3]Qian W ,Qiong Y . Ritual, Legend, and Metaphor: Narratives of the Willow in Yuan Zaju [J]. Religions, 2022, 13 (1): 55-55.
[4]Kelly T . Riddles in Jin Ping Mei [J]. Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture, 2021, 8 (2): 341-370.
[5]Shi J . Character image analysis of Yuan variety play Qiuhu philander his wife [J]. Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 2020, 4 (5).
[6]Yun S E . The Study of the Bawd’s Image in Yuan Dynasty’ Zaju [J]. Journal of Chinese Language and Literature, 2020, (121): 351-371.
[7]Ha S K . A Study on Yuan Zaju 〈The Ghost of the Pot〉 [J]. Journal of Chinese Language and Literature, 2020, (121): 315-349.
[8]Kimberly B . The Moheluo Doll Revisited: Yuan Drama in the Late Ming [J]. CHINOPERL Papers, 2020, 26 (1): 25-45.
[9]L. W I . Li Kaixian’s Revised Plays by Yuan Masters (Gaiding Yuanxian chuanqi) and the Textual Transmission of Yuan Zaju as Seen in Two Plays by Ma Zhiyuan [J]. CHINOPERL Papers, 2020, 26 (1): 47-65.
[10]Young K K . The Comparitive Study on (Poetry of Datang San Zang Sutra) And (Journey to the West) drama of Yuan Zaju - Focusing on Comicality [J]. JOURNAL OF CHINESE HUMANITIES, 2019, 72 307-322.
[11]YAN M . "book-review"THE ORPHAN OF ZHAO AND OTHER YUAN PLAYS: THE EARLIEST KNOWN VERSIONS [J]. Asian Theatre Journal, 2019, 36 (1): 256-259.
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