KUAN HAN-CH'ING

born 1241?, Ta-tu, now Peking died 1320?, China Pinyin Guan Hanqing dramatist who was considered by many critics to be the greatest playwright of the Chinese classical theatre. Kuan Han-ch'ing, probably a scholar, belonged to a writers' guild that specialized in writing plays for performing groups. Fourteen of his plays (from more than 60 with known titles) have been preserved. Several of them are unquestionably masterpieces, and there is little doubt that Kuan played an important role in raising the early Chinese drama to a new level of excellence. His close association with performers may have contributed to his understanding of the common people displayed in his works. Many of his characters are women of low social standing, invariably portrayed with great sympathy and painstaking detail. His heroines always act with intelligence, integrity, and courage. Though Kuan's plots, following the fashion of his time, are unrealistic, his understanding of his characters and sympathy toward them always shine through. His style is simple and straightforward, probably closer to the spirit of early popular theatre than to the style of plays by his contemporaries. The action, often simple everyday happenings, is depicted with humour and poignancy. Some of his better known dramas include Tou-o yan (Injustice Suffered by Tou-o), Tan tou huei (Meeting Enemies Alone), and Chiu feng chen (Saving a Prostitute).