The Comparative Study of Romeo and Juliet and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai
[Abstract]
Love is an eternal theme in world literature. Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is one of the most popular folk tales in China, which eulogizes freedom to pursue love. Romeo and Juliet, an epic love story, tells about the two lovers who die for love after being forced to break up. This paper centers on the comparison between Romeo and Juliet and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Even though the two works are completed in different nations and at different times, Romeo and Juliet is well comparable with the latter. Firstly, this paper introduces the synopsis of the two stories. Secondly, it describes the similarities between them, including plot structure, ending with comic flavor and the attitudes towards love. Thirdly, it concentrates on the differences between these two works, analyzing the different personalities of the leading characters and the different implications in their endings. Fourthly, the cultural background is analyzed to explain the similarities and the differences between the two works. Last, in spite of the tragic elements, tragicomedy instead of tragedy is more suitable to classify the two works. The reason is that the endings of the two works are filled with comical flavor, which, to a large extent, has exerted a less sad environment. It is believed that Jack shall have Jill.
[Key Words] Romeo and Juliet; Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai; comparative study
Contents
【摘要】 1
[Abstract] 1
1. Introduction 2
2. The similarities between Romeo and Juliet and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai 3
2.1 Similar plot structures 3
2.1.1 The development of love 3
2.1.2 The help of another person 3
2.1.3 The oppression of elder generation 4
2.1.4 Death for love 5
2.2 Similar comedy flavor 5
2.3 Similar attitudes towards love 5
3. The differences between Romeo and Juliet and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai 6
3.1 differences on the personalities of the two pairs of lovers 6
3.1.1 Different ways against feudalism 6
3.1.2 Different ways to express their love 7
3.2 Different implications in the endings of the stories 8
4. Cultural backgrounds for the two tragedies 8
4.1 Western cultural background 8
4.2 Chinese cultural background 9
5. Conclusion 9
References 10