"西廂記" by Shifu Wang is a classic Chinese play written during the late 13th to early 14th century. This work is part of the genre known as "chuanqi", which typically involves romantic themes intertwined with social commentary. The story centers around the fateful romance between the handsome scholar Zhang and the beautiful maiden Yingying, exploring themes of love, duty, and societal expectations. The opening of "西廂記" introduces the character of Lady Zheng,
who speaks of her late husband, a high-ranking official, and their daughter, the gifted and beautiful Yingying. Following the death of her husband, Lady Zheng navigates the complex emotional landscape of loss while preparing Yingying for a future filled with suitors. The scene shifts to introduce Zhang, who is a scholar with unfulfilled ambitions, traveling to take an imperial examination but drawn to the mystique of the temple where Yingying resides. As these characters are brought together, their paths of love and duty intertwine, setting the stage for a dramatic exploration of romantic longing and familial obligation amidst the backdrop of societal pressures. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
