A Study On Kong Chuanzhi,a Dramatist In Qing Dynasty

Kong Chuanzhi(1678--1731),a native of Qufu,Shandong province,was a famous dramatist in the early Qing Dynasty.Kong Chuanzhi is not only proficient in poetry and other orthodox literary creation,He has written poetry collections Qing Tao Ci,Bu Xian Gi and Die An Ci.But Kong Chuanzhi also actively engaged in the creation of drama,becoming a member of the dramatist group of Qufu Confucius descendants.Kong Chuanzhi created three drama works,which are Ruan Yang Zhi,Ruan You Tong and Ruan Kun Wu,collectively known as the "Three soft legend".It’s been passed down to this day.Kong Chuanzhi grew up in the Confucius’ Mansion,he lived a comfortable life.Kong Chuanzhi’s parents,brothers and uncles all have good literary accomplishment,forming a strong academic atmosphere in Confucius’ Mansion,which creates a good environment for Kong Chuanzhi’s literary creation.Kong Chuanzhi had a deep affection with his brother Kong Chuanduo and uncle Kong Yutian.The three of them often discussed poems and watched dramas together.From 1698 to 1708,Kong Chuanzhi founded "Xue Bu" poetry club with his brother and uncle.Most of his poetry works in Qing Tao Ci,Bu Xian Gi were created during the foundation of "Xue Bu" Poetry Society.Kong Chuanzhi moral noble,indifferent to fame and wealth,had refuse to promotion and retreat to rural life experience.Kong Chuanzhi did not pursue fame,but as a direct descendant of Confucius,he still received preferential treatment from the Qing Dynasty.Kong Chuanzhi inherited the title of doctor of the Five Classics of hanlin Academy in 1706,received ten grades of awards within two years,and became a deacon of the Confucius’ Temple in 1730.Kong Chuanzhi seldom travels,and his social activities are centered around his hometown Qufu.Qing Tao Ci contains hundreds of named comments,which provide an important entry point for the study of Kong Chuanzhi’s social contacts.Among his many friends,Kong Chuanzhi had the most close contact with Gu Cai and Luo Shiyu,and had frequent literary activities.Kong Chuanzhi regarded them as lifelong confidant.In addition,there are three dramatist Gu Cai,Kong Shangren and Chen Jianzhi.There are also many friends from Suzhou,where Kunqu Opera is flourishing,which creates conditions for Kong Chuanzhi to write drama scripts.In addition,Chen Yuwang used the name "Xifeng Qiaoren" to write poems for the drama works of Kong Chuanzhi.Kong Chuanzhi’s three dramas were written during the kangxi period when legendary works flourished.Kong Chuanzhi participated in the creation of drama,which is related to the atmosphere of watching drama in Confucius’ Mansion.There are drama troupes in The Confucius’ Mansion,which facilitates the performance of Kong Chuanzhi’s drama works.Kong Chuanzhi deliberately avoided the sensitive description of current events and politics in the drama world at that time,used fictional historical figures and plots to show his patriotic political stance,and advocated Confucian ethics with the help of drama works,reflecting his social responsibility as a descendant of Confucius.At the same time,Kong Chuanzhi reveals his value pursuit between "rushi" and "youshi" in his drama works.Kong Chuanzhi is well versed in the way of drama performance,and his drama works can not only be read,but also performed on the stage,showing a unique stage vitality.He has written a poem record Ruan Kun Wu drama performance.Kong Chuanzhi’s drama works avoided the disadvantages of the legendary works of the Qing Dynasty,such as piling up words,long structure and difficult to perform.His drama works showed a strong natural style and personalized characteristics.