Classics of Ancient Drama

Name: Classics of Ancient Drama
ISBN: 9787514325775

杜友龙Modern Press · ChinaFeb 2017

3.7

Word count: 69K words
Chapters: 34
ISBN: 9787514325775

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Summary

This book focuses chiefly on the four great classical tragedies and the four great classical comedies, with abundant illustrations and captioned figures that are vivid and visually intuitive, pleasing to the eye, produced in color, rich and varied, exquisitely designed, and refined in taste. It is highly suitable for general readers to read and collect, and equally suitable for libraries at all levels to stock and display.

Editor's review

Classic Ancient Plays, co-authored by Xiao Dongfa and Du Youlong, is an accessible introduction that systematically surveys the essence of traditional Chinese opera. It is not an abstruse academic monograph but a clear, plainly written guide that leads readers into the colorful world of classical drama. It selects representative plays from Yuan zaju to Ming-Qing chuanqi, such as The Injustice to Dou E, Romance of the Western Chamber, and The Peony Pavilion, summarizing their plots while focusing on their literary value, artistic features, and historical background. In the editor's view, the book's greatest value lies in its role as a bridge: it translates specialized operatic knowledge into text the general public can understand, removing the sense of estrangement ordinary readers feel before traditional opera. Xiao Dongfa has written extensively on cultural communication, and Du Youlong has also studied traditional culture in depth; their collaboration ensures accuracy and readability. Reading this book, one senses the profound humanity, social critique, and aesthetic pursuit embodied in classical drama—not merely echoes of history, but themes of loyalty, love, and justice that remain moving today. For readers seeking an initial framework of Chinese opera knowledge and a taste of classical literature's charm, this is a solid and friendly primer.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners interested in traditional Chinese culture and operatic art who want a systematic introduction
Literature lovers who want to understand the literary value and core stories of classical play scripts
Students seeking reliable, easy-to-read supplementary reading on traditional culture
Cultural workers seeking creative inspiration who can draw nourishment from classical narratives

Not a good fit for

Professional researchers seeking in-depth academic verification or detailed accounts of troupes, schools, and techniques
Readers expecting a purely visual experience supported by abundant images and audiovisual materials

Reading tips

Pair the classical plays mentioned in the book with related stage performances or film and television adaptations to appreciate the transformation from text to stage
While reading, note the evolution of subject matter, structure, and language across dynasties, such as Yuan zaju versus Ming-Qing chuanqi
Use the book as an index: for plays or playwrights of particular interest, seek more specialized criticism or the original scripts for deeper reading

About the publisher

Modern Press China · Founded in 1982

Founded in 1982, Modern Press is a Chinese publisher that serves general readers across a diverse range of subjects. Judging from its catalog, its publishing focuses on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, psychological research and application, popular science, and modern poetry, along with history, biography, and children's books. The Book of Songs, the illustrated vernacular edition of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, The Complete Poems of Dai Wangshu, and Buddhism in the Vegetable Roots reflect efforts to make traditional culture and poetry accessible; works by Carl Gustav Jung such as The Development of Personality and Understanding Your Psychological Type, together with titles from the Ivy International Education Alliance, show sustained attention to psychology and educational reading; and Stephen Hawking's works and the illustrated two-volume Brief History of Everything and A Brief History of Time indicate a commitment to popular science. Its authors include figures such as Qu Wanli, Xu Ke, Dai Wangshu, and Jung, and its publishing emphasizes retelling classics and accessible, illustrated presentation. Because public information is limited, this summary is based only on the titles in our catalog.

版权信息
序言古戏经典
兴亡之感——桃花扇
孔尚任感叹兴亡作《桃花扇》
《桃花扇》背景与悲剧内涵
李香君宁死不屈的忠贞爱情
感天动地——窦娥冤
关汉卿改故事而作《窦娥冤》
以浪漫手法表现悲剧色彩
窦娥感天动地的反抗精神
惊心动魄——牡丹亭
汤显祖改编小说作《牡丹亭》
杜丽娘为情而死与为情而生
深刻的思想内涵和艺术特色
孤雁之悲——汉宫秋
马致远发感慨而作《汉宫秋》
王昭君与汉元帝的悲剧形象
有机结合的思想性与艺术性
才子佳人——拜月亭
关汉卿逃亡路上创作《拜月亭》
从北杂剧到南戏的艺术成就
破镜重圆——墙头马上
白朴改诗作创出《墙头马上》
具有独特性格与思想的人物
用鲜明正反面人物突出主题
终成眷属——西厢记
王实甫各取精华改编莺莺传
从“董西厢”到“王西厢”
突出的矛盾冲突与内涵特色
剧中鲜活生动的人物形象
魂牵梦绕——倩女离魂
郑光祖改编创作《倩女离魂》
反映爱情自由的思想内涵
表现独特的艺术特征与价值

FAQ

What is this book's Douban rating?

On inquiry, rating information for this book on the Douban platform is not widely collected or displayed; it is a relatively niche popular work on traditional culture, whose value lies more in its systematic content and readability.

Does the book include specific operatic lyrics or musical scores?

The book focuses mainly on literary introductions to the plays, background analysis, and artistic appreciation; it is not a complete collection of scripts or a compilation of musical scores. Key lyrics are quoted as examples but not presented in full.

Do authors Xiao Dongfa and Du Youlong have other related works?

Mr. Xiao Dongfa long devoted himself to compiling and publishing works on Chinese cultural history and edited multiple cultural series; Mr. Du Youlong has also co-authored several books on traditional culture. Both authors have produced continuously in this field.

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About the author

杜友龙 Author

Du Youlong is an author about whom limited public information is available; his biography, nationality, and dates of birth and death remain unclear. Judging from the 18 works included in the library, he is an author concerned with traditional Chinese culture and historical themes. Representative works include Ancient Music's Enduring Fragrance, Classics of Ancient Drama, Folk Entertainment, The Peaceful Prosperous Age, Splendor of Chinese Painting, and Reform for Strength, covering fields such as music, opera, folk customs, painting, and historical change. His works commonly appear in categories such as culture, art, historical reading, and inspirational growth, with writing that emphasizes informative overview and accessible expression for general readers interested in traditional culture. Given the lack of direct information about the author, his creative direction can only be inferred from these subjects, and a full assessment of his personal experience and academic background is not yet possible.