The Nature Of Western And Chinese Love Tragedies Viewed From The Perspective Of Cultural Differences

Love is an eternal theme in world literature. Many plays, both Chinese and foreign, ancient and modern, have focused on this theme. However, few studies have been made to compare them from the perspective of cultural differences. This thesis intends to make a comprehensive comparison between Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Shaoxing opera Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai to manifest that cultural background is the root cause that decides the nature of a tragedy.Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai and Romeo and Juliet share some tragic elements but are of different tragic natures, which have aroused our attention. This thesis first discusses the similar functions of monologues and dialogues in the two plays — to advance the plot, establish the settings and reveal characters. Then it summarizes the similar and different themes of the two plays. Next it analyzes the differences between the two pairs of protagonists in their actions, personalities and attitudes towards marriage. And then it compares the plot structures of the two plays. Finally, it analyzes the causes of the tragic nature of the two plays from the perspective of cultural differences.Based on detailed comparison, the thesis arrived at the conclusion that to a great extent, the tragic nature of a play is related to its culture. Chinese tragedies, though different from Western tragedies, have their own tragic nature, which combines tragic style with comic elements. We may say China has no tragedy that possesses the nature of Western tragedies, but we can never say China has no real tragedy, since the nature of Chinese tragedies is decided by its unique culture. The significance of such a comparative study is that it will facilitate the ever-increasing cultural exchange and enhance better understanding of dramas from different countries.