Tragic prototypes and their evolution in classical Chinese works

Abstract

Classical tragedy in China, as a unique literary form, embodies the nation’s cultural spirit and possesses profound historical heritages and distinctive aesthetic value. As an interdisciplinary research method, prototype analysis provides new perspectives and theoretical tools to delve into the connotations of tragedy. Studying the prototypes of classical tragedy in China helps reveal the development trajectory and inherent laws of classical tragedy in history. This article aims to analyze typical prototypes in Chinese classical tragedy within the framework of prototype theory, revealing the cultural characteristics of Chinese classical tragedy and its differences from Western tragedy. The goal is to provide a theoretical basis for related research.