Six Yüan Plays - Classic Text | Alexandria
Six Yüan Plays (translated by Liu Jung-en, 1972) represents a seminal collection of classical Chinese dramatic works from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), offering Western readers rare insight into the golden age of Chinese theater. This anthology features masterful translations of six zaju plays - a distinctive dramatic form combining speech, song, dance, and music that flourished during the Mongol-ruled Yuan period.
The collection emerged during a transformative era when Chinese drama reached unprecedented sophistication under the Yuan Dynasty. These plays, originally performed in the vernacular language rather than classical Chinese, reflected the social upheaval and cultural dynamics of a time when the traditional Confucian elite found themselves displaced under Mongol rule. The theatrical arts became a powerful medium for social commentary and artistic expression among the educated class who were largely excluded from government service.
Each play in the collection showcases the complex theatrical traditions of Yuan drama while exploring timeless themes of loyalty, justice, and moral conviction. The anthology includes "Snow in Midsummer" (Dou E Yuan) by Guan Hanqing, widely considered the greatest Yuan dramatist, which tells the tragic story of an innocent woman wrongly executed. Other notable works include "Autumn in Han Palace" and "The Circle of Chalk," which later inspired Bertolt Brecht's "The Caucasian Chalk Circle."
The enduring influence of these plays extends far beyond their historical context, continuing to inspire contemporary theater practitioners and scholars worldwide. Their sophisticated dramaturgy, psychological depth, and social commentary remain remarkably relevant to modern audiences. Liu Jung-en's thoughtful translation preserves both the literary merit and theatrical vitality of these works, making classical Chinese drama accessible to English-speaking readers while maintaining their cultural authenticity. The collection stands as a testament to the universality of human experience across cultures and centuries, inviting modern readers to discover how these ancient voices speak to contemporary concerns about justice, power, and moral responsibility.