Dramatic Drama and Lyrical Drama: A Comparative Study of Chinese and Western Drama

Author: He Huibin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: In the field of comparative studies between Chinese and Western theater, numerous monographs and papers have been published, achieving remarkable accomplishments. However, the fundamental issue of comparative research has long troubled scholars: if Western theater theory is adopted as a standard, it naturally leads to the conclusion that Western theater is superior and Chinese theater is inferior, thereby suppressing the artistic value of Chinese theater—a bit like cutting off one's feet to fit into shoes. On the other hand, if research is based on the ancient Chinese theory of qu (a genre of Chinese opera), it is indeed beneficial for uncovering the charm of Chinese theater, but it is difficult to apply to Western theater. This book distinguishes between the two different types of Chinese and Western theater, classifying Chinese theater as lyrical theater and Western theater as dramatic theater. It explores the unique characteristics of the two types of theater from a new perspective. The author refers to Western theater as dramatic theater and Chinese theater as lyrical theater. It conducts a comparative analysis of the discourse modes, structures, contexts, the will and emotions of dramatic characters, the actions, endings, perspectives, and suspense of the two types of theater. These features are then integrated within a comprehensive framework to uncover their underlying cultural backgrounds and philosophical foundations. The book is logically rigorous, offers a unique perspective, and stands as an outstanding work in the field of theater research.