The Analysis Of Viewpoint On Tragedy In Yuan Drama

Are there tragedies in classical Chinese drama? This has been disputed for nearly one century. There are mainly two opinions about the issue: "there are" and "there are not". In the first half of the twentieth century, many scholars agreed on the viewpoint that no tragedies existed in classical Chinese drama. However, in the second half of the twentieth century, the viewpoint that tragedies existed in classical Chinese drama was dominant.The "no-tragedy-existing" advocates have drawn their conclusion by using the western theory of tragedy to measure classical Chinese drama. The people claiming an inverse opinion, on the other hand, have not theoretically demonstrated whether there were tragedies in classical Chinese drama or not, instead, they have directly expounded the "tragedy-existing" viewpoint. During the discussion, based on the unproved premise that there are tragedies in classical Chinese drama, they explored the causes for and the origins of the differences between classical Chinese drama and western tragedy, emphasized the national features of classical Chinese tragedy and raised the viewpoint of "Chinese-style tragedy". However, it is not convincing to take the "tragedy-existing" viewpoint as the premise because the "no-tragedy-existing" viewpoint has not been effectively refuted. Clearly, we must first be certain that there are tragedies in classical Chinese drama, and then we can discuss the national features and artistic characteristics of Chinese tragedy.It requires a criterion for the judgment of tragedy. There is no such notion as "tragedy" in Chinese classical theory of literature and art, and the characteristics of tragedy have not been discussed systematically by ancient Chinese critics. In the west, there have been a long history of tragedy, a systematic theory of tragedy, and a great number of universally acknowledged works of tragedy. We can draw up the basic characteristics of tragedy in term of aesthetics if we probe into the history of theories of tragedy and analyze the generally recognized tragic works. Tragedy, as an aesthetic category, has its own characteristics and standards, therefore, it can be regarded as theultimate criterion for the judgment of classical Chinese drama.It is necessary to choose certain works for study because there are a huge quantity of works in classical Chinese drama. Yuan drama is a typical type of classical Chinese drama, which has been taken as example by many researchers to prove whether there are tragedies in classical Chinese drama or not. Consequently, taking Yuan drama as the object of research, we can do an all-round and thorough study. The dissertation will make a comparative study of Yuan drama and western tragedy in respect of material, character, conflict, ending, effect and so on, which are component elements of drama, and make a detailed analysis of Yuan drama by referring to western theory and works of tragedy.In tragedy, the tragic protagonists proceed to revolt resolutely but hopelessly. They never compromise though they finally fail. The ending of tragedy does not embody "Poetic Justice". The impression of tragedy on audience is gloomy. The audience feel terrified and pitiful to the tragic protagonists, but on the other hand, the audience are also encouraged by the indomitable spirit that the protagonists display in the struggle. In Yuan drama, some protagonists succeed in resisting against antagonists, and "poetic justice" is represented in the end. The audience are satisfied with the end and feel relieved, so the atmosphere of gloom is removed completely. Some protagonists come to terms with antagonists instead of fighting them and in the end fall into a miserable situation. On one hand, we feel sympathy for them; on the other hand, we are angry at their cowardice.The resolute but hopeless action of protagonists, the lack of "Poetic Justice" and the tragic experience are the necessary elements of tragedy. However, the works of Yuan drama do not contain these elements. Those works that are considered as "tragedy" ar...