A Study of the Expression of Historical View by means of “Minor Characters " in Historical Dramas: An Example Relating to the CCTV Adaptation of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms"

Shuwen Yang

doi:10.54691/v46vnf91

Authors

Shuwen Yang Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/v46vnf91

Keywords:

Historical Drama;Historical View; “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”; Characters of Minor Rank; People’s Perspective.

Abstract

Among the key media used to form collective memory or to convey historical concepts and the narrative point of view adopted in such dramas it has a direct bearing upon the audience ' s ideas of, and attitude toward, history. The present paper deals with the CCTV adaptation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms as an object of investigation, and considers—among other things—the particular historical outlook embodied by this classic historical drama (as seen) through civilian figures, common soldiers, or helpers .It reports on findings that show that with strict regard for the great narrative of the original work, the CCTV the version under consideration gives a " people ' s perspective " not confined to the usual " great man " theory of history-so far as it treats in detail the minor characters .What is achieved artistically with regard to such figures may be taken as an aid, or even as a model, for present-day historical drama.

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