Palace of Eternal Life

Author: Hong Sheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-04-01
Features: The Longevity Palace is a representative work of Hong Sheng's dramatic creation, taking the line "On the seventh day of the seventh month, in the Longevity Palace" from Bai Juyi's Song of Everlasting Sorrow as the title of the play. The play depicts Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty loving his concubine Yang Guifei, who indulged in feasts and entertainment with him day and night, neglecting state affairs, while the power in the court was held by Yang Guifei's brother, Yang Guozhong. On the seventh day of the seventh month, Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong swore eternal love in the Longevity Palace, vowing to be husband and wife for all generations. Soon after, An Lushan rebelled due to a power struggle with Yang Guozhong. Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei fled Chang'an, where the imperial forces killed Yang Guozhong and forced Emperor Xuanzong to order Yang Guifei's strangulation. After An Lushan's rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Xuanzong yearned for Yang Guifei day and night. Later, the Taoist master Yang Tongyou used magic to build a bridge to the moon, where Emperor Xuanzong flew to meet Yang Guifei, fulfilling their vow to be husband and wife "through life and death" made in the Longevity Palace. The Longevity Palace has complex ideological content. On one hand, it praises the unbreakable love between Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, while on the other hand, it connects to the broad social background of the An Lushan Rebellion and criticizes the ruling class for their debauchery, misgovernance, and harm to the people, expressing sorrow over the fall of the nation and the destruction of homes. The play features delicate artistic expression with a strong lyrical tone. The author skillfully uses beautiful, flowing, and poetic lyrics to depict the emotional and psychological changes of characters in different situations. For example, in the scene The Pipa Song, from the engagement ceremony with the hairpin and hairpin box to the westward journey of the imperial carriage, the lyrics are melancholic and moving. "The inn at Mawei is desolate, the temple is slanting and cold. A beauty of the age dies for her lord, leaving a lasting sorrow dripping from her silk handkerchief," these lyrics perfectly blend the atmosphere of the environment with the character's personality, filled with poetry. The Longevity Palace is a representative work of Hong Sheng's dramatic creation, taking the line "On the seventh day of the seventh month, in the Longevity Palace" from Bai Juyi's Song of Everlasting Sorrow as the title of the play. The play depicts Emperor Xuanzong loving his concubine Yang Guifei, who indulged in feasts and entertainment with him day and night, neglecting state affairs, while the power in the court was held by Yang Guifei's brother, Yang Guozhong. On the seventh day of the seventh month, Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong swore eternal love in the Longevity Palace, vowing to be husband and wife for all generations. Soon after, An Lushan rebelled due to a power struggle with Yang Guozhong. Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei fled Chang'an, where the imperial forces killed Yang Guozhong and forced Emperor Xuanzong to order Yang Guifei's strangulation. After An Lushan's rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Xuanzong yearned for Yang Guifei day and night. Later, the Taoist master Yang Tongyou used magic to build a bridge to the moon, where Emperor Xuanzong flew to meet Yang Guifei, fulfilling their vow to be husband and wife "through life and death" made in the Longevity Palace. The Longevity Palace has complex ideological content. On one hand, it praises the unbreakable love between Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, while on the other hand, it connects to the broad social background of the An Lushan Rebellion and criticizes the ruling class for their debauchery, misgovernance, and harm to the people, expressing sorrow over the fall of the nation and the destruction of homes. The play features delicate artistic expression with a strong lyrical tone. The author skillfully uses beautiful, flowing, and poetic lyrics to depict the emotional and psychological changes of characters in different situations. For example, in the scene The Pipa Song, from the engagement ceremony with the hairpin and hairpin box to the westward journey of the imperial carriage, the lyrics are melancholic and moving. "The inn at Mawei is desolate, the temple is slanting and cold. A beauty of the age dies for her lord, leaving a lasting sorrow dripping from her silk handkerchief," these lyrics perfectly blend the atmosphere of the environment with the character's personality, filled with poetry.