In Ancient China Early One-act Play

Zaju (multi-act plays) had a short flourishing period in Ming Dynasty. However, Chuan Qi (romance fiction) soon took its place and became more and more popular. Duanju (short plays) appeared on the stage as a new form of Zaju, absorbing multiple playwrights' work. The thesis chose "single-scene" Duanju from Ming Dynasty as research subject, in order to find out the true reason for its existence.The thesis is consisted of four parts with a prelude and a conclusion.The first part is about the emergence. The reasons why this new play-form appeared are clearly expounded by studying the pre-form of Duanju, the development of drama art and cultural need in Ming Dynasty. The study focused on Wang Jiusi, the creator of this new play form, the first play named "Si jie ji", and Xu Wei, the advocator of the play form.The second part is about the creation of a Duanju. It happened in the beginning of Wanli period, which was the initial stage of Duanju. A tentative analysis was made on the play writing, shows, literature spirits and its art value.The third part studied Duanju in Mid Wanli period. Mid Wanli is the development period for Duanju. By comparing plays from early Wanli period and those from mid Wanli period, the author explained clearly why Duanju finally disappeared from the stage.In the fourth part, we listed all the Duanjus in Ming Dynasty and summarized the history of Duanju on the stage.Position of "single-scene" Duanju in Ming Dynasty is not ignored. A man named Qi Biaojia whose work named "Yuan shang tang ju pin" compiled Zaju of two hundred and fourty-two. There was sixty-six among them, 28 per cent. Sheng Tai whose work named"Sheng Ming Za ju" compiled Zaju of sixty. There wastwenty-three among them, 38 per cent. These thing were record by men of Ming Dynasty. So it's position is important.In the light of academic circles of present situation, since Zaju lost its dominant position in Ming Dynasty, not much research was ever done on this topic. The thesis strive to comprehensive study in the first. On the basis of gathering relevant datum, I make full use of it. Second,the thesis strive to systematic study. Development of "single-scene"Duanju of Ming Dynasty is studied in the order of the time. At the time, the used datum are differentiated and analysed carefully, try to eliminate the false and retain the true. Through the work, we must understand the emergence and development of "single-scene"Duanju of Ming Dynasty.