The Orphan of Zhao is a Chinese play from the Yuan dynasty, attributed to the 13th-century dramatist Ji Junxiang (紀君祥).[1] The play has as its full name The Great Revenge of the Orphan of Zhao.[2] The play is classified in the zaju genre of dramas.[3] It is divided in six parts, comprising five acts (折 zhe) and a wedge (楔子 xiezi), which may be an interlude or — as it is in this case — a prologue.[4] It contains both dialogue and songs.[4]
The story of The Orphan of Zhao takes place during the Spring and Autumn period[5] and revolves around the central theme of revenge.[4] The protagonists are General Han Jue in the first act, the retired Minister Gongsun Chujiu (公孙杵臼) in the second and third act, and the Zhao orphan in the final two acts.[4]The Orphan of Zhao was the first Chinese play to be known in Europe.[6]
