The Story of the Western Wing
Quick Summary
The Story of the Western Wing (Xixiangji) is a renowned Chinese drama by Wang Shifu, written around the 13th century during the Yuan dynasty. It is considered the best northern play of its time and is an expanded version of the popular zaju theatrical form. Wang Shifu innovated by allowing multiple characters to sing, rather than just one, and created a memorable character in the maid, Hongniang. The play's five acts are significantly longer than typical zaju, foreshadowing later dramatic forms. The story is based on a Tang dynasty romance about the poet Yuan Zhen.12
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