Reasons for development of Chinese opera during the Wanli Emperor period of Ming Dynasty

Abstract

From the enthronisation of Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to the beginning of Wanli Emperor period (1573–1620), Chinese society has been undergoing tremendous changes in many aspects. Politically, the atmosphere became cruel and corrupt more and more, offjcials with no hope of career turn to Chinese opera for solace, and the binding power of Chinese opera policies lost its infmuence gradually, and thus it created a favourable environment for the development of Chinese opera. Ideologically, the trend of detachment and apathy turned out to be more and more intense. Socially, the trend of extravagance and the belief in ghosts and sacrifjces got its arisen. Chinese opera became a way to show off wealth and was often used to entertain sacrifjcial ceremonies, which promoted the prosperity of Chinese opera performances. Culturally, watching Chinese operas made a trend. Chinese opera was mature, combining art and entertainment, and was loved by literati. Simultaneously, the trend of literary and artistic innovations, advocated an individual’s subjectivity and true emotions, composed the source, the object and the function of that literature. Driven with that variety of extensive and profound changes, Chinese opera of the Wanli Emperor period of the Ming Dynasty appeared to be an independent social cultural trend and thus achieved very high level and acquired its rapid development. At the same time, it gave birth to many outstanding Chinese opera writers and works, which improved the quality of Ming Dynasty Chinese operas and made the Ming Dynasty the second golden age in the history of classical Chinese opera.