A Study Of Tang Xianzu’s Aesthetic Theory Of Pathoscentralism

Tang xianzu is a well-known dramatist in the middle and late period of Ming Dynasty,and his aesthetic theory of Pathoscentralism is the dominant force in mind-emancipation trends.Tang’s theory is based on the cherish life theory,which is the solder of Confucianism and Taoism.Affection is the core of though,Dream and Drama are derivative of Affection,the all three together make up the aesthetic theory of Pathos-Centralism.The theory formed of cherish life theory and the best sentiments theory,the former reaffirm the human value under the oppression of Neo-confuciannism,the latter inherited the though of Taizhou School,on the one hand it promote the affection,the other hand it adjusts the promiscuous trends of Taizhou School.In this regard,it makes the Pathos-Centralism returns to the Neo-confuciannism unconsciously,and this is also the characteristic of Tang’s theory.Four Dreams in Linchuan is the concentrated reflection of Tang’s theory in artistic field,and the category of Affection,Dream,Drama get a vivid expression in it.Tang xianzu argues Affection produces Dream,Dream produces Drama.Significance and spice are the main point of Drama,and the art beauty will be the purpose of Dream. Affection is the urge and clue of works,it throughout the works,and make up the origin and nature of art works.Dream is the reflection of true affection and the best sentiments,and it is also idealize and artify the two all things.Drama express Dream,it turn the idealized Dream to the specific image,which is full of affection.So in order to realize its aesthetic value,all of the aesthetic factors,such as the purposive subject,spirit of taste,artistic expressive force,artistic style,should unify organically.The Pathos-Centralism theory criticize Neo-confuciannism,which is the dominant theory in Ming Dynasty,and Four Dream in Linchuan is the weapon of this criticism,and it played a role of education and aesthetic-pedagogy.On the other hand,the Pathos-Centralism theory and works promote the literary aesthetics trend which is affectionate from the later Ming Dynasty to Qing Dynasty.It satisfies the aesthetic requires of Buergertum,it is the flag of Buergertumn rising,it provide momentum to the anti-Neo-confuciannism and ideological emancipation and affected scholars of later period.