The tragedy of Dou E

Author: Guan Hanqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: The full title of The Injustice to Dou E is The Injustice to Dou E that Moves Heaven and Earth. It tells the story of Dou E, a woman who sells herself, who is wrongfully accused by ruffians and unjustly sentenced to death by a corrupt official, only to be later exonerated by a fair-minded judge. This play is the masterpiece of Guan Hanqing, the first of the "Four Great Masters of Yuan Qu," and is considered a monumental work of Yuan. It showcases immense ambition and powerful writing, representing the pinnacle of Yuan. This book is a comic adaptation of The Injustice to Dou E. The Injustice to Dou E is the masterpiece of Guan Hanqing, a renowned playwright of the Yuan Dynasty.
Poverty-stricken Dou Tianzhang sells his daughter to Cai Bobo. On her way to collect a debt, Cai Bobo is ambushed but saved by Zhang Lao and his son, Zhang Luer. The Zhangs forcibly marry Cai Bobo and Dou E, but Dou E refuses. Zhang Luer attempts to poison Cai Bobo to take over Dou E, but the poison is mistakenly consumed by Zhang Lao. Zhang Luer then falsely accuses Dou E. The corrupt magistrate Tao Zhu judges Dou E to death. Before her execution, Dou E makes three vows to prove her innocence. Several years later, Dou Tianzhang is promoted and arrives in Chuzhou for inspection. The ghost of Dou E pleads her case, and Dou Tianzhang clears her name and avenges her injustice.