THESPIAN MICROCOSM OF THE MING IMPERIAL PALACE: A STUDY OF THREE NORTHERN PLAYS

Abstract

This thesis studies three Ming imperial palace northern plays to reveal the intricate relations between the theatrical representation and the dynasty- empire’s self-imagination. The original imperial palace copies have been lost; the texts are only available through the private manuscripts (now published) of a late-Ming bibliophile. Two of the plays, of the historical and Daoist theme respectively, were rewritten from the Yuan-dynasty versions, and the third play was written during the Ming about Zheng He’s expedition. This thesis analyzes the three plays under the framework of theatrical art as self- representation of the dynastic empire. It demonstrates how the editing and rewriting process of the two Yuan plays, which were imbued with ideological considerations, reveal the unique characteristics of the imperial palace copies and how these characteristics are shared by the third Ming play. In doing so, this thesis argues for the influence of palace politics on the plays and the ritualization of power through the plays.