Romance of Western Bower

The Romance of the Western Bower written by Wang Shifu is the most important lyrical drama in the history of Chinese literature. It is as well-known in China as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the West.

It is divided into five acts and twenty scenes. Act One describes the first meeting in the temple between the lovers, Zhang Gong, a young scholar, and Cui Yingying, nineteen-year-old daughter of former Prime Minister Cui. Act Two relates how Zhang saves the temple from attack by bandits and Madame Cui promises her daughter can marry Zhang, but she soon goes back on her word. Act Three describes the lovers’ longing for each other. Act Four depicts their meeting in Scene I. In Scene II, Madame Cui will not approve their marriage unless Zhang wins honor in the civil service examinations. Scene III depicts their parting when Zhang leaves to attend the examinations in the capital. Scene IV ends with a dream in which the lovers meet again. The last Act describes their reunion.