A masterpiece of realism in Chinese Classical Drama
Overview
Chinese Name: 西厢记
English Name: Romance of the Western Chamber
Other Name: The Story of the Western Wing, The West Chamber, Romance of the Western Bower
Author: Wang Shifu 王实甫
Originally Published: AD 1271-1368 （Yuan Dynasty 元朝）
Genre: Literature, Zaju 杂剧
Brief Introduction of Romance of the Western Chamber
The Romance of the Western Chamber 西厢记 is a Zaju 杂剧 created by Wang Shifu 王实甫 of the Yuan Dynasty. It is a masterpiece of realism of Chinese classical drama. It has a total of five books with twenty-one discounts and a complete story, which is rare in ancient Zaju. The plot Festival is fascinating, vivid, elegant and poetic.
The Romance of the Western Chamber describes that scholar Zhang Junrui 张君瑞, who was on his way to the imperial examination, ran into Cui Yingying 崔莺莺, the daughter of the former prime minister, and fell in love with her at first sight. In order to see more Yingying several times, he lived in the West Chamber 西厢 of the Pujiu temple 普救寺. They loved each other and poetry.
Later, the rebel general Sun Feihu 孙飞虎 surrounded the Pujiu temple and wanted to rob Yingying as his wife. Yingying’s mother promised in panic: whoever can defeat the rebels, I will marry my daughter to him. Zhang Junrui stepped forward and saved the Cui family with the help of his good friend Du Que 杜确. But Yingying’s mother repented, and they were in great pain. The Hongniang 红娘 helped them meet.
Zhang Junrui, who had not seen Yingying for many days after the meeting, got lovesickness. Yingying learned from his letter that she asked Zhang Junrui to meet in the garden, but Zhang Junrui’s wall climbing behavior caused Yingying’s dissatisfaction. Under Yingying’s rebuke, Zhang Junrui’s lovesickness worsened. Yingying couldn’t bear to make a promise.
After Yingying’s mother found out, she pressed Hongniang. Hongniang argued and accused her of being at fault. Yingying’s mother was helpless and allowed the two to marry, but asked Zhang Junrui to go to the exam immediately. Finally, Zhang Junrui returned to the Hezhong 河中 after winning the first prize in the exam and got married with Yingying.
Author of Romance of the Western Chamber
Wang Shifu (1260-1336), a native of Beijing 北京, was a famous dramatist in the Yuan Dynasty and the author of the drama “Romance of the Western Chamber”.
Wang Shifu, together with Guan Hanqing 关汉卿, Bai Pu 白朴 and Ma Zhiyuan 马致远, was known as the “four masters of Yuanqu 元曲四大家”. His works were exquisite in language, absorbed the lively oral language of the folk in the Yuan Dynasty, and created a brilliant vocabulary of Yuanqu.
He had written 14 kinds of Zaju in his life, The “Romance of the Western Chamber” was not only his masterpiece, but also one of the best works in the creation of Zaju in the Yuan Dynasty. At that time, it was known as the best drama in the Yuan Dynasty.
He played an important role in the history of Chinese drama.
Excerpts From Romance of the Western Chamber
东风摇曳垂杨线，游丝牵惹桃花片，珠帘掩映芙蓉面。
The east wind shook the long strips of weeping poplars like thin lines, the hairspring tied the falling petals of peach flowers, and the curtain decorated with pearls covered the beautiful face like hibiscus flowers.
有心争似无心好，多情却被无情恼。
It’s better to do something intentionally to win his eyes and get his love than unintentionally. My amorous feelings are always hurt by his ruthlessness.
愿普天下有情的都成了眷属。
I wish all lovers in the world can have a perfect result.
Evaluation of Romance of the Western Chamber
The Qu 曲 and words are alarming, and the lingering fragrance is full.
Cao Xueqin 曹雪芹
New Zaju, old legend, “Romance of the West Chamber” won the world championship.
Jia Zhongming 贾仲明
The “Romance of the Western Chamber” is a wonderful article in the world.