A Study Of Meng Chengshun's Traditional Play

In recent years, the study of scholars on Meng Chengshun's tradional play is scattered, which is not suitable for displaying fully the value and meaning of Meng Chengshun's creation. Therefore, the present thesis, by means of modern and scientific methods of study, makes an entire certainty from all kinds of aspects. Based on the existing materials, the thesis reveals truly and accurately Meng Chengshun's personal character,life and creation. Meng's theory of traditional plays that was only implied in his traditional plays'preface and comment was lacking in system so that it was easy to be oversight and ignored. By displaying and inducing entirely his theory of traditional plays from three sides, the thesis establishes firmly his status of excellent dramatic theorist in the late Ming Dynasty. Meng's three pieces of Love—Zaju obtained a remarkable achievement in thought and art, played an important role in propelling the reformation and development of Nan—Zaju together with Meng's other Zaju. Moreover, the Jiaohong Ji Chuanqi that was Meng's representative work got the highest achievement in Mengs'traditional play, replenished the Chuanqi's creation in the late Ming Dynasty and enriched the history of Chinese tradional tragedy. Finally, through showing some influence of Meng's tradional play, the present thesis establishes more clearly the Meng Chengshun's status in the history of Chinese traditional play.