小說戲曲在明代文學史上的地位

Abstract

Novel and opera, as new styles in literature and art, appeared in the Yüan (元) dynasty. However, the status of novel and opera in Yüan literature was low. The successive Yüan rulers strictly forbade the study of novel and opera. The authors of various novels and operas, mostly Han (漢) intellectuals, were classified by the Yüan government into the ninth class, a social status which was even lower than that of the prostitutes. It was not until the middle of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) that novel and opera began to flourish and enjoy a high esteem in the development of Chinese literature. This paper provides eleven examples to support the above mentioned argument. (1) the Ming emperor Chu Yüan-chang (朱元璋) was fond of novel and opera. (2) private as well as public bibliographies in the Ming dynasty began recording the titles of various novels and operas. (3) prefaces to novels and bookreviews of novels were included into Ming collections. (4) novels and operas were collected into Ming collective works. (5) novels and operas were chosen by selected works. (6) well-known Ming calligraphers copied and spread novels and operas. (7) famous Ming painters drew pictures for novels and operas. (8) public opinions recognized and raised the position of novel and opera in the development of Chinese literature. (9) well-known scholars made comments on novels and operas. (10) governmental officials took the lead in printing novels and operas. (11) conservative scholars were shocked by the wide-spread influence of novels and operas.