A Study Of Zhang Geng's Thought Of Drama Aesthetics

In 1939, Zhang Geng advanced the idea of "nationalization of modern drama and modernization of the Chinese traditional opera" and gave a far-sighted and programmatic discussion of it. In Zhang Geng's career, the research on "nationalization of modern drama" is the starting point of the research on "modernization of the Chinese traditional opera"; "modernization of the Chinese traditional opera" which is the focus of his research of drama is gradually evolved on the basis of the practice of "nationalization of modern drama." Zhang Geng's most contribution to the nationalization of modern drama is that he thought the nationalization of modern drama must be popularized and the popularization need study and make use of the "old form" of the traditional opera. Zhang Geng's contribution to the modernization of the traditional Chinese opera is, on the one hand, that he had given solid theoretical support to the policy for the development of the traditional Chinese opera; on the other hand, that the work of "the renovation of drama" and artistic practice of modernized traditional Chinese opera which is led by him had given an effective impetus to the progress of the modernization of the Chinese traditional opera.In the practice of "nationalization of modern drama and modernization of the Chinese traditional opera", Zhang Geng evolved aesthetics of Chinese traditional opera which regarded "Drama-Poetry Theory" as its core. Zhang Geng's "Drama-Poetry Theory" which is affected by the Chinese traditional opera is evolved by making use of the western conception and combing the practice of the Chinese drama. The most contribution of Zhang Geng's "Drama-Poetry Theory" is to grasp the most distinct aesthetic characteristics of the Chinese traditional opera, which is called "poetic quality" of the Chinese traditional opera. It stimulates the poetic way to percept the spirit of the art of the Chinese traditional opera and it can be regarded as the theoretical core of "Drama-Poetry Theory". Corresponding, Zhang Geng's "Drama-Poetry Theory" has given great concern on the issue of refining processes, exaggerated expression and the atmosphere of the art of Chinese traditional opera. Objectively speaking, Zhang Geng's "Drama-Poetry Theory" doesn't play intrinsically leading role to the Chinese traditional opera. Because the logical starting point of "Drama-Poetry Theory" aims at explaining how to realize the artisticvalue and social effectiveness of drama instead of answering the question "What is drama." Nevertheless, "Drama-Poetry Theory" has a profound significance to the thinking of the art of Chinese traditional opera, for the reason that it has touched the characters of the poetic quality of the Chinese traditional opera.Zhang Geng's practice on modernization of the Chinese traditional opera regards new content as its spiritual essence, new style as its form of expression associating with modern thoughts of theatre. It not only deepens the thinking on the relationship between content and form of "Drama-Poetry Theory", but also extends the understanding of the relationship between the spiritual and physical representation of it. Besides, it clearly analyzes the recognition of pattern and school of it. Modernization of the Chinese traditional opera has put Zhang Geng's "Drama-Poetry Theory" into practice in the field of drama.Zhang Geng's thinking and summary of artistic essence of the Chinese traditional opera are mostly revealed in academic projects of the Chinese traditional opera such as General history of Chinese traditional opera, General discourse on Chinese traditional opera, Chronicles of Chinese traditional opera. These three books not only show distinct historical materialism and clear awareness of systematic principles, but also reveal marked comparison and contrast between modern drama and the Chinese traditional opera. The efforts on these three books deepen Zhang Geng's perception of comprehensively aesthetic characteristics of the Chinese traditional opera and the aesthetic idea of "the sense of things".