Scenes from Romance of the Western Chamber

Romance of the Western Chamber (Xīxiāng Jì 西廂記) is one of the most famous and influential plays in Chinese history. Written in the late 13th century by Wáng Shífǔ 王实甫 (1250–1337?), this comic love story involves Zhang Sheng, a poor but handsome young scholar, and Cui Yingying, the beautiful daughter of a high court official. They meet by chance in a Buddhist monastery and fall in love, but Yingying’s mother disapproves. The plot includes an amorous bandit leader, a heroic general, a clever maid, and much romantic pining, concluding with the couple’s happy marriage after Zhang Sheng passes the arduous imperial civil service examination. Traditionally considered scandalous for including a scene of an out of wedlock romantic tryst, the play is often understood as supporting marriage for love, and as a critique of arranged marriages.