明代中後期戲曲的教化功能研究--以蘇州府為中心

Abstract

本研究主要透過明代中後期蘇州府戲曲文本的創作，以及當時流行的戲曲作品，探討其中傳達的教化意涵，並從劇本流通及演出場所，了解戲曲對明代百姓的影響。研究發現如下： 一、明世宗嘉靖年間，流寓太倉的魏良輔改良崑曲後，受到文人雅士的喜愛，再加上明代中後期的蘇州府，經濟繁榮，商業手工業和城市經濟快速發展，以及文風鼎盛、市民階層興起、印刷術發達等因素，使得蘇州崑曲大盛。 二、蘇州地區劇作家輩出，無論是戲曲作品的創作或是舞台上的搬演都十分頻繁。蘇州書坊與臨近的金陵書坊，自神宗萬曆以降，開始大量刊刻戲曲作品。另外，文人在家中多有蓄養歌妓，而在歌樓酒館、節日廟會、商人會館中，也都能看到戲曲的活動。 三、道德倫理的觀念為戲曲創作的主軸，忠臣、孝子、義民、節婦是多數劇本的主要關節。透過劇情的鋪陳傳達出勸善警世的思想，並透過因果報應以及鬼神之說，呼籲世人不可為惡。另外，作者也善用俗諺俚語，促進教化的傳遞與接收。 四、劇本中反映了當時社會現況及問題，也傳遞出統治者與士人的價值觀。而戲曲作品中歌頌的男女情愛，展現真實情感，乃是受到百姓推崇與讚揚。 總之，中國戲曲一向給予人們「寓教於樂」的印象，透過戲曲演出活動，將忠孝節義等道德觀念，在潛移默化下，影響著眾多百姓，發揮出戲曲勸人為善的教化功能。對於戲曲演出頻繁的明代中後期社會而言，實在具有不容忽視的力量。

The main purpose of this study is to inquire the educational function and influence of the Chinese dramas at Suzhou Prefect in the Middle-Late Ming Dynasty, by way of studying the scripts, circulation and performance of those dramas. During the Jia Jing reign, Wei Liang-fu reformed the Kunqu (Kun Tune) and made it be popular. Moreover, at Suzhou Prefect in that period, some factors, such as the booming city, business and literature, the emergence of civil society, and the improvement of printing technology, made the Kunqu more popular. At that time, the dramatists came at an unparalleled rate at Suzhou. The creations and performances of dramas appeared constantly. Since the Wan-Li reign, publishers at Suzhou Prefect and in Jinling published a large number of dramas texts (Scenarios). Many literators hired private drama actors/actresses at home. However, commoners could enjoy performances at public houses, temple fairs, or assembly halls. The main function of Chinese dramas was moral and socialized. The key values in those dramas’ texts were to be the roles of loyal courtiers, dutiful sons, righteous people, or virtuous women. Besides, the Chinese dramas also transmitted a core thoughts or messages of being good but not evil through the karma and ghost stories. The Chinese dramas also reflected social situations and problems in that period, and transmitted what values the scholars emphasized. In conclusion , the Chinese dramas always made an impression of “learning by play” on people. Through the performances, the Chinese dramas conveyed moral ideas and influenced people unobtrusively and imperceptibly. There were a lot of drama performances in that period, therefore the educational function of the dramas could not be ignored.