Tang Xianzu’ Ideological Contradictions In<the Handan Dream>

As a playwright who had got the highest achievement and made the most profound influence in the theatrical circles of Ming Dynasty, Tang Xianzu is a prominent representative in both Chinese literature history and theatre history. Traditional opera is a big part in Chinese theatre, and as an integrated art, it often becomes a specimen of thought of an era. In a way of emphasizing the analysis of text, such as attaching importance to the meaning of objectivity and ontology of the works in rereading, the use of comparative analysis to develop the actions and conflicts of the characters, this paper will take<The Handan> from the "Four Dreams in Linchuan" of Tang as example, aiming at clarifying the dramatic situation.Real actions of characters in a illusive situation has formed the basic contradiction. In this play, human nature emerges slightly after the dramatic conflict has fade away, in another word, true inner thoughts of characters hide behind the illusive and absurd situation. Looking through all the four works of "Four Dreams in Linchuan", this paper tries to analysis the structure and features of Tang’s illusive art world. And as has found, he was taking "extreme love" as weapon to fight against reality. Finally, this "extreme love" died in a deeper look of the cruel society and human nature.The adjustment of Tang’s creative contradiction through this four works is the result of his changing understanding of the world, which is not hard for us to find. Based on all these above, we are tying to analysis the illusive thoughts in Tang’s works, especially comparing the "convert to Taoism" to the common Immortal drama. Because what hides behind the illusive creating is the idea of life and society of Tang-using a power beyond life and death to step into a doubtful and empty world.