The Yuan Dynasty is the Golden Age of Chinese Drama - Research Paper Example

This paper examines the play “Autumn in the Palace of the Han” by Ma chih yuan. An analysis into its structures reveals that most of its characters were drawn from the session of storytelling. Different make ups were used on the characters to reveal various personalities. The story line behind the play was based during the period when Han rulers faced the Khan rulers who were considered to be the strongest in the region. The Han emperor is said to have lost his woman after a session of manipulation by an evil and courtier.

However,the woman decides to take her own life rather than join the rival forces. A goose symbolizing her soul, then haunts her empty chambers. However , the Khan leaders after discovering the evil intent of the courtier Mao Yen-Shou, decides to make peace with the Han Emperor by sending him the courtier to take revenge for his fallen woman. An analysis into the play also reveals the use of self identification and explanatory monologue witnessed from characters in the play. An example is that when a character in the play is invited, he starts by revealing his identity and telling background.

Moreover, the structure of the play reveals use of alternative prose and verse. The role type used in the play is limitation to one single role because, for example, one character in the play is used in singing songs present in the play all through the way. Lastly, the play also demonstrates the use of recapitulation almost all characters in the play recapture the happenings in the previous scene before proceeding to the actions of the present scene. Moreover, the play deploys the use of four-act division and the wedge in its structure.

It includes four acts and one short unit known as the wedge (Burbank 1).Works CitedBurbank, Jim, and Sharon Niederman. Tarasque Ii. Albuquerque: Tarasque, 1985. Print.