2015 西安大戲院觀戲《牡丹亭》
A Memory of Peony Pavilion, Xi’an 2015
And even now,
when I recall that night,
the music does not rise upward—
it settles inward.
Introduction to The Peony Pavilion
*The Peony Pavilion* (牡丹亭, Mǔdān Tíng), also known as *The Return of the Soul at the Peony Pavilion*, is a masterpiece of Chinese kunqu opera written by Tang Xianzu in 1598 during the Ming Dynasty. It's a romantic tragicomedy based on a short story from the Song Dynasty, emphasizing themes of love transcending life and death, emotion over reason, and the conflict between personal desire and societal norms. The play consists of 55 scenes and traditionally takes over 20 hours to perform in full, though modern adaptations condense it. Set in the late Southern Song Dynasty, it follows the love story of Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei, blending dream sequences, supernatural elements, and subplots involving political turmoil like the invasion by the Jin Dynasty.
The Full Story Summary
The story unfolds in three main parts: the dream of love, the romance and resurrection, and the resolution amid worldly conflicts.
Part 1: The Dream and Du Liniang's Death
Du Liniang, a beautiful and sheltered 16-year-old daughter of the high-ranking official Du Bao, lives a confined life in her family's mansion in Nan'an (modern-day Guangdong). Her father is a strict Confucian who prioritizes her education in classics, but she feels lonely and unfulfilled. One spring day, encouraged by her maid Chunxiang (Spring Fragrance), Liniang takes a stroll in the family's expansive garden, admiring the blooming flowers and the peony pavilion. Overwhelmed by the beauty of nature, which stirs her unspoken romantic longings, she falls asleep under a plum tree near the pavilion.
In her vivid dream, she encounters a handsome young scholar named Liu Mengmei (Willow Dreaming of Plum). They share an intense romantic encounter, falling deeply in love and consummating their passion amid the garden's scenery. The dream is erotic and poetic, symbolizing the awakening of her desires. Upon waking, Liniang is devastated to realize it was only a dream. She becomes consumed by longing for this imaginary lover, falling ill with lovesickness. As her condition worsens, she paints a self-portrait to capture her beauty and hides it in a rockery in the garden, inscribing a poem on it. She dies of heartbreak, and her grieving mother buries her under the plum tree in the garden, where a shrine is built in her memory. Her spirit descends to the underworld, where she registers as a "ghost of love."
Meanwhile, subplots introduce broader conflicts: Du Bao is appointed to defend against invading Jin forces, and there's political intrigue involving rebels and court officials.
Part 2: The Resurrection and Romance
Three years later, the impoverished scholar Liu Mengmei—whose name echoes elements from Liniang's dream (liu for willow, meng for dream, mei for plum)—has a prophetic dream of a beautiful woman under a plum tree who promises him happiness. Traveling to the capital for imperial examinations, he falls ill and seeks refuge at a temple near the Du family garden. There, he discovers Liniang's hidden self-portrait and falls in love with the image, addressing it as his "wife" and composing poems to it.
Liniang's ghost, granted permission by an underworld judge to return to the living world (after bureaucratic hurdles, reflecting Chinese folklore), appears to Liu in the flesh. She reveals her identity and their shared dream, and they begin a passionate affair. Eventually, she confesses she is a ghost and instructs him to exhume her grave and open her coffin to revive her. Skeptical but devoted, Liu digs up her body, which has remained uncorrupted. Upon opening the coffin, his love brings her back to life—her soul reunites with her body, and she becomes fully human again. They marry in secret and consummate their union.
Part 3: Conflicts and Resolution
Their happiness is short-lived due to external obstacles. Du Bao, now a victorious general, returns home and learns of the grave disturbance. He accuses Liu of grave robbing and necromancy, refusing to acknowledge Liniang as alive since she was officially declared dead. Liu is arrested and tortured. Subplots intensify: There's a rebellion, and Liu passes the imperial exams, becoming a top scholar (zhuangyuan). Liniang travels to the capital to plead her case.
In the climax, the case reaches the emperor, who investigates. Witnesses, including underworld officials in a supernatural twist, confirm the miracle of love. The emperor pardons everyone, reunites the family, and blesses the marriage. The play ends on a triumphant note, with love conquering death, bureaucracy, and war. Subplots tie in the fall of the Song Dynasty, but the core remains the romantic triumph.
This narrative celebrates "qing" (emotion or love) as a force stronger than "li" (reason or societal order), making it a landmark in Chinese literature for its bold portrayal of female desire and supernatural romance.
### Great Chinese Phrases from The Peony Pavilion
The play is renowned for its poetic language, blending classical Chinese with vivid imagery. Here are some famous quotes in original Chinese (simplified characters), with pinyin romanization and English translations. These are drawn from key scenes, emphasizing themes of love, dreams, and resurrection.
1. **Opening Preface on Love's Power**
Original: 情不知所起，一往而深。生者可以死，死可以生。
Pinyin: Qíng bù zhī suǒ qǐ, yī wǎng ér shēn. Shēng zhě kěyǐ sǐ, sǐ kěyǐ shēng.
Translation: Love arises without knowing its origin; once born, it deepens endlessly. The living can die for it, and the dead can live again.
(This iconic line from the preface captures the play's essence, highlighting love's transcendence over life and death.)
2. **Du Liniang's Reflection on Her Dream Lover**
Original: 世间安得双全法，不负如来不负卿。
Pinyin: Shìjiān ān dé shuāng quán fǎ, bù fù rú lái bù fù qīng.
Translation: How can one achieve perfection in this world, without betraying the Buddha or betraying you?
(A poignant expression of inner conflict, though often attributed to the play; it echoes Buddhist influences in Tang's work.)
3. **Garden Scene Poetry on Fleeting Beauty**
Original: 朝飞暮卷，云霞翠轩；雨丝风片，烟波画船。
Pinyin: Zhāo fēi mù juǎn, yún xiá cuì xuān; yǔ sī fēng piàn, yān bō huà chuán.
Translation: Morning flights and evening rolls, clouds and rosy mists by emerald pavilions; threads of rain and flakes of wind, misty waves on painted boats.
(From Liniang's "Stroll in the Garden" scene, evoking the transient beauty of spring that awakens her desires.)
4. **On Dying for a Dream**
Original: 世上那有梦里死的人？这般娇弱女儿，如何执著得定？
Pinyin: Shì shàng nǎ yǒu mèng lǐ sǐ de rén? Zhè bān jiāo ruò nǚ'ér, rúhé zhí zhuó dé dìng?
Translation: When in the world did anyone die of a dream? How could such a slip of a girl cling so strongly to her dream?
(Reflecting on Liniang's lovesickness, underscoring the intensity of her passion.)
5. Resurrection and Love's Triumph
Original: 杜丽娘慕色而亡，传世后而复生。
Pinyin: Dù Lìniáng mù sè ér wáng, chuán shì hòu ér fù shēng.
Translation: Du Liniang dies longing for her lover, but after leaving her portrait to the world, she revives.
(Summarizing Liniang's journey, from the play's prologue.)
These phrases have influenced Chinese culture profoundly, often quoted in literature, opera, and discussions of romance. For full context, reading a complete translation (like Cyril Birch's) is recommended.
