A Comparative Analysis of Love Values in Romeo and Juliet and Peony Pavilion

Abstract

With the development of economic globalization, the relationships of countries become closer and closer. As a big country which is developing continuously, China’s status on the international arena is higher and higher. Not only should China focus on economic communication, but also on the communication of culture. And books are important carriers of culture which play an important role in the cultural transmission. As a result, searching and analyzing literature can make people more familiar with foreign culture. Romeo and Juliet, as one of the masterpieces of the famous British writer Shakespeare, has a supreme status in the theatrical circle. Meanwhile, Peony Pavilion is a master work of Tang Xianzu who is a dramatist in Ming Dynasty of China and it also has an important academic status in literary circle. The two dramas were created at similar time and have a similar central theme. Thus, it’s necessary to make a comparative analysis of the two.

This paper includes four parts. The first part gives a brief introduction to the main contents of Romeo and Juliet and Peony Pavilion to make readers have a basic understanding of the two books. The second part compares the love values which are showed in the two books from the aspects of characters, plots, endings and themes. The third part, on the basis of the second part, summarizes the love values of the two books to give readers a direct feeling. The fourth part analyzes the reasons which cause the two love values according to the writing backgrounds and cultural backgrounds.

Key words: Romeo and Juliet; Peony Pavilion; culture; love value