Cultural Mirror of Female Representations: A Comparative Analysis of Women in Shishuo Xinyu and Shakespeare’s Plays

Research Article
Open access

Cultural Mirror of Female Representations: A Comparative Analysis of Women in Shishuo Xinyu and Shakespeare’s Plays

Sirui Du 1*
  • 1 Chinese Literature, Zhuhai College of Science and Technology, Zhuhai, China    
  • *corresponding author 2524137646@qq.com
Published on 20 June 2025 | https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/2025.24113
LNEP Vol.102
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-207-2
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-208-9

Abstract

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of female representations in Shishuo Xinyu, a classical Chinese anecdotal collection, and Shakespearean drama. It explores how different cultural contexts and literary forms shape the depiction of women, revealing both convergences and divergences in gender ideology. In Shishuo Xinyu, female figures are often characterized as talented women, virtuous wives, and devoted mothers, serving as embodiments of Confucian moral ideals. Their portrayals are concise yet evocative, relying on indirect narration and symbolic contrast. In contrast, Shakespeare’s female characters exhibit greater complexity, emotional depth, and autonomy. Through rich dialogue and dramatic action, they challenge traditional gender roles and assert their individuality. The paper analyzes the narrative techniques and aesthetic choices used to construct these images, highlighting the cultural significance of women as both moral mirrors and narrative agents. By juxtaposing these two literary traditions, the study sheds light on broader historical and ideological undercurrents in gender construction and literary expression.

Keywords:

Shishuo Xinyu, Shakespearean drama, female image, gender ideology, cultural comparison

Du,S. (2025). Cultural Mirror of Female Representations: A Comparative Analysis of Women in Shishuo Xinyu and Shakespeare’s Plays. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,102,7-11.
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References

[1]. Li, W. Y. (2004). Shishuo Xinyu and the Emergence of Aesthetic Self-Consciousness in the Chinese Tradition. Chinese Aesthetics: The Ordering of Literature, the Arts, and the Universe in the Six Dynasties, 237-276.

[2]. Sanders, G. (2014). A New Note on Shishuo Xinyu. Early Medieval China, 2014(20), 9-22.

[3]. Sanders, G. (2012). Humour in Chinese Life and Letters: Classical and Traditional Approaches.

[4]. Tillyard, E. M. W. (2015). From Shakespeare's History Plays. In King John and Henry VIII (pp. 71-91). Routledge.

[5]. Brainerd, B. (1980). The chronology of Shakespeare's plays: A statistical study. Computers and the Humanities, 221-230.

[6]. Liu, Yiqing. Shishuo Xinyu[A New Account of the Tales of the World]. Shanghai: Ancient Books Publishing House, 2013.

[7]. Shakespeare, William. The Complete Works of Shakespeare, translated by Zhu Shenghao, 1st ed., Beijing: People’s Literature Publishing House, 2014.

[8]. Chen, Kai. “On the Aesthetic Value of Female Beauty in ‘Virtuous Ladies’ of Shishuo Xinyu and Its Contemporary Relevance.”


Cite this article

Du,S. (2025). Cultural Mirror of Female Representations: A Comparative Analysis of Women in Shishuo Xinyu and Shakespeare’s Plays. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,102,7-11.

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Global Politics and Socio-Humanities

ISBN:978-1-80590-207-2(Print) / 978-1-80590-208-9(Online)
Editor:Enrique Mallen
Conference website: https://2025.icgpsh.org/
Conference date: 25 July 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.102
ISSN:2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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References

[1]. Li, W. Y. (2004). Shishuo Xinyu and the Emergence of Aesthetic Self-Consciousness in the Chinese Tradition. Chinese Aesthetics: The Ordering of Literature, the Arts, and the Universe in the Six Dynasties, 237-276.

[2]. Sanders, G. (2014). A New Note on Shishuo Xinyu. Early Medieval China, 2014(20), 9-22.

[3]. Sanders, G. (2012). Humour in Chinese Life and Letters: Classical and Traditional Approaches.

[4]. Tillyard, E. M. W. (2015). From Shakespeare's History Plays. In King John and Henry VIII (pp. 71-91). Routledge.

[5]. Brainerd, B. (1980). The chronology of Shakespeare's plays: A statistical study. Computers and the Humanities, 221-230.

[6]. Liu, Yiqing. Shishuo Xinyu[A New Account of the Tales of the World]. Shanghai: Ancient Books Publishing House, 2013.

[7]. Shakespeare, William. The Complete Works of Shakespeare, translated by Zhu Shenghao, 1st ed., Beijing: People’s Literature Publishing House, 2014.

[8]. Chen, Kai. “On the Aesthetic Value of Female Beauty in ‘Virtuous Ladies’ of Shishuo Xinyu and Its Contemporary Relevance.”