A Study Of The Drama Texts Evolution Of The Orphan Of Zhao In Yuan And Ming Dynasty

From Song to Qing Dynasty, the drama, The Orphan of Zhao, had beenadapted into various versions. There are editions such as: Song and Yuan DynasticSouthern Drama version, Yuan Dynastic Zaju’s Publication version, Ming DynasticZaju’s Publication version, Ming Dynastic Southern Drama version, Ming DynasticLegendary version, Qing Dynastic Opera version, etc. All these editions presenttheir own features and use their unique way to represent the story of The Orphan ofZhao. Based on obtaining amount of existent scripts, this thesis gives a systematicand holistic carding of these versions and have detailed introduction of recordedcondition and edition information of every chosen script. In the thesis, the cardingof creation and publication dates of every edition remedy the discount that theformer scholar separately researched and collected Yuan and Ming Zaju with Ming’ssouthern drama and Legendary, which presents a holistic look of The Orphan ofZhao from Yuan to Ming Dynasty.This thesis is based on the editions that mentioned above and select fourrepresentative versions to comparatively analyze the processes of how theseversions developed their characters, plots, endings, language, themes, etc. In theYuan Dynasty’s Publication version, adapted by Ji Junxiang, the characters havedistinctive features and the language is precise and inspiring. The ending issoul-stirring which gives people a profoundly impression. In the Ming Dynasty’sPublication version, Zhao inherits the excellence parts of Yuan Dynasty’s versionand revises the incoherent section in language. The ending, that the hero takes hisrevenge, gives people great satisfaction, however, this version adds too muchimperial consciousness, which weakened the Inspiring style of whole story. In MingDynasty’s Southern Drama version, Zhao became a vulgar love story. In addition,this edition involves too much gratitude and fate elements which degrade the spiritual value. Nevertheless, the characters are vivid, which presents the trend ofpopularization and citizenization of literature in Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty’sLegendary version, Ba Yi Ji, pursues the theme of justice. However, this editionyield to the consumer and followed the vulgar love story pattern. As for thelanguage, it combines the vulgarity, for consumer, and elegance, in literary demand.Though the fatal weak point of this version is stereotype of the characters, theauthor’s effort of regressing the theme back to justice and revenge can never bedenied, which presents the attitude of rethinking and recognition of the scholars inMing Dynasty.In Ming Dynasty’s drama the story of Zhao has lost its grand significance intheme of pursuing justice. As a replacement, it consists of vulgar love stories andfamily reunite, which blanket its outstanding spirit. Although the author try torecurrence the theme, the demands of consumer and demand of relative appreciationin literature cannot ensure the story have a rebirth. It can never be denied that thetwo versions in Ming Dynasty have promoted the spreading of the story of Zhao,itscharacters and sprits. This kind of promotion ensures its existence for a long timeafter the decline of Zaju. There comes the conclusion that the significance ofevolving process of the story of Zhao is double-faced. It is the evolving process thatpresents people the enchantment of this story: Justice shall overcome the evil andthe heroes shall be immortal.