Yang Guifei’s story was a popular topic for reimagination starting from the Tang dynasty and continuing into modern times. In addition to visual artwork, of which there are examples on the “Gender and Sexuality” page, writers and directors have represented Yang Guifei in poems, plays, Operas, films and TV Shows. These representations tend to focus on Yang Guifei’s immense beauty and the “great love” between her and Xuanzong instead of the history of the story. Many times the representations fall into the trap of deciding that by means of her sexuality alone Yang Guifei was able to destroy the peace in the Tang dynasty. In this section I will examine her representation through four examples.
One of the earliest representations of Yang Guifei, the “Song of Lasting Regret” by Bai Juyi, demonstrates how Yang Guifei was represented in literature as depicting ideal beauty, and her tragedy was made to symbolize deep love. Written in early 807 CE (about 50 years after her death) the poem was originally accompanied by a historically accurate recollection of the events, but now the poem is often read and recited alone. The poem focuses heavily on the grandness of their love, and has been described as the most famous account of doomed love in Chinese history (Mair 478). Bai Juyi mixes the historical storyline with nature analogies that emphasize her beauty and details on their happy life as a couple, demonstrating how as early as 807 CE Yang Guifei was represented as a perfect beauty and one half of a great love affair.
Another more modern representation of Yang Guifei, the Peking Opera The Drunken Concubine (Guifei Zuijiu), presents Yang Guifei as a simple woman, who holds no substance beyond her beauty. The story follows one night in which she supposed to have dinner with the Emperor. When he stands her up, she proceeds to spend the night drinking alcohol and thus getting intoxicated. The actor is extremely made up to look beautiful and is renowned for his ability to portray her disappointment and the flaunting of her beauty. The Opera is an example of Yang Guifei’s representation as nothing more than a beauty. There is no substance in the character and no regard throughout the opera for the history behind the story. The Drunken Concubine helps to add to the legacy of Yang Guifei as one of the four great beauties.
This is the full Peking Opera, The Drunken Concubine. Throughout the show, Yang Guifei is portrayed as lacking any virtue beyond beauty.
Finally, Yang Guifei is a popular figure for revival in film and television. Oftentimes, the story is presented as entertainment for modern Chinese audiences emphasizing themes of beauty, love and tragedy, allowing historical accuracy to fade in importance. For example, The Legend of Yang Guifei (Yang Guifei Mishi) is a 2010 Chinese historical-fiction, costume television drama that is loosely based off of the story of Yang Guifei and Xuanzong. Once again, the plot strays from the history, portraying Yang Guifei as a peasant woman who is selected to marry the emperor. As you can see from the clip below, the show is highly entertaining, but the focus is more on emphasizing Yang Guifei’s beauty and love than anything else. Lady of the Dynasty (Wángcháo de Nǚrén Yáng Guìfēi) is A film about the great love between Yang Guifei and Xuanzong. The film is heavily overdramatized and focuses on the love story. It also plays into Yang Guifei’s beauty representation as Yang is portrayed by Fan Bingbing, a popular Chinese actress renowned for beauty.
The first video is a clip from the opening scene of The Legend of Yang Guifei. As you can see the show's sole purpose is entertainment.
As demonstrated in the ancient literary representation and the modern representation in Opera, film and television Yang Guifei has left a legacy filled with beauty, love and tragedy. What started as a historical story about a woman who falls victim to the restrictive gender roles of her time has been transformed into an epic, romantic tragedy consumed by modern Chinese audiences without much regard for the actual history.
Sources:
Lan-Fang, Mei. Peking Opera: Drunken Concubine (Guifei Zuijiu). 1914.
The Drunken Concubine is a Peking Opera about Yang Guifei. After Xuanzong stands her up for their date, she proceeds to spend the night drinking and becomes drunk. I used the source as an example of how Yang Guifei is represented as nothing more than a beauty to later generations.
The Legend of Yang Guifei (Yang Guifei Mishi). Beijing Jingdu Century Cultural Development. 2010. Written by Zhang Jianwei. Directed by You Xiaogang.
The source is a television series based off of the love story of Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong. The story is embellished, however, in that Yang Guifei is portrayed as a peasant woman who is selected to marry the emperor. The source is useful as an example of the way modern audiences understand Yang Guifei’s story as great love story and tragedy, and understand Yang Guifei herself as an immense beauty.
Mair, Victor H. The Shorter Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature. New York, NY: Columbia Univ. Press, 2000.
I used The Shorter Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature, specifically “The Song of Lasting Regret” by Bai Juyi, to see how Yang Guifei was represented in poetry at the time. The source is helpful in demonstrating her representation in popular literature, and therefore how she was perceived by those who read the poetry of Bai Juyi. Additionally, Mair provides a summary of the Historical background and Yang Guifei’s background. Finally, I find this source helpful for the way its language demonstrates the levels of passivity and beauty that elite women like Yang Guifei were encouraged to uphold.
Qing, Shi, dir. Lady of the Dynasty (Wángcháo de Nǚrén Yáng Guìfēi). China Film Group, 2015.
Lady of the Dynasty is the a dramatized film version of the story of Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong’s love. The film puts emphasis on the tragedy and romance of the story, and focuses less on the historical content. I used this source as an example of Yang Guifei’s representation in popular culture and a point for analysis. Film is a way modern Chinese youth receive their information on Yang Guifei.
Video Sources:
"“The Drunken Beauty” (貴妃醉酒) Performed by Mei Lanfang." Video file, 44:59. YouTube. Posted by Bu Er Magazine, September 15, 2014. Accessed November 17, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-gJuZl286w.
"Yang Gui Fei Mi Shi Opening 杨贵妃秘史 Chinese Drama." Video file, 04:11. YouTube. Posted by Mingxiang Wang, May 1, 2010. Accessed November 17, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70OuQbd-tg.