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1. Sample Essay 1
2. Sample Essay 2
2 Sample Essays on Appreciating the Character of Đan Thiềm in Act 5 of the Play 'Vũ Như Tô'
Appreciating the Character Đan Thiềm in Act 5 of the Play 'Vũ Như Tô', Sample 1:
I. Structure
a. Introduction
Introducing the author and the work
Writer Nguyễn Huy Tưởng was born into a Confucian family in Dục Tú village, Từ Sơn, Bắc Ninh, now part of Đông Anh district, Hanoi.
He wrote various genres: memoirs, dramas, covering diverse themes from historical events, Thăng Long - Hanoi, and the war of national defense to topics for children. Each genre and theme by Nguyễn Huy Tưởng carries timeless value.
The work 'Vũ Như Tô' is a historical tragedy depicting an event in Thăng Long around 1516-1517 under the rule of Lê Tương Dực.
The piece was composed in the summer of 1941.
b. Body
General overview: Although Đan Thiềm is a supporting character, she contributes to enhancing Vũ Như Tô's character and clarifying the main ideas of the work.
She is a palace maid enchanted by beauty, cherishing talents, and understanding life's principles but facing tragedy.
The palace maid enchanted by beauty and cherishing talents:
Đan Thiềm encourages Vũ Như Tô to build the Nine-Story Tower:
Vũ Như Tô, a talented and determined artist, initially refuses to build the Nine-Story Tower, considering it a decadent place for kings. However, fueled and encouraged by Đan Thiềm's admiration for beauty, he ignites with passion, transforming it into action.
The beauty that Đan Thiềm worships is majestic and eternal. Her love for beauty stems from the pride and self-esteem of the nation.
During the rebellion of shipbuilders, Đan Thiềm advises Vũ Như Tô to leave for fear of wasting his talent.
Frantically rushing to inform Vũ Như Tô, kneeling to beg the rebels not to kill him, conveying the panicked agony of Đan Thiềm in the face of the life-threatening situation for Vũ Như Tô.
Words: Pleading, advising, begging
Tone: Urging Vũ Như Tô to escape to safeguard his talent
Action: Offering to die in place of Vũ Như Tô
Value the talents and beauty over one's own life
Đan Thiềm is a very insightful person, understanding the essence of life and being well-aware of the situation
Advising Vũ Như Tô to exploit Lê Tương Dực to build the Cửu Trùng Đài
Encouraging Vũ Như Tô to leave the place, waiting for another opportunity, as the grand plan has failed
Pointing out the cause: the people and officials in the court unanimously labeling Vũ Như Tô as the culprit reveals Đan Thiềm's insightful understanding of the era. The high walls of the royal court cannot confine the profound perspective of this palace maid. She handles situations with flexibility and grace
Đan Thiềm faces the tragedy of shattered dreams
Đan Thiềm, a neglected palace maid, imprisoned for nearly 20 years, serving the king and his concubines who surpass her in beauty and talent, while she endures scorn and mockery
She is a fateful beauty, yet her greatest tragedy is the suffering she endures for her talent
Excessive worry for Vũ Như Tô's talent
Pleading and advising Vũ Như Tô to escape
The beauty she worships and the talent she values are at risk of being extinguished
Bowing down to Vũ Như Tô when she is pushed to the brink
Pleading for the rebels to spare Vũ Như Tô
All indicates that Đan Thiềm is a court lady passionately in love with beauty and admires talents, yet she has suffered a tragedy no less painful than Vũ Như Tô. Đan Thiềm has to witness the destruction of talent and beauty. Loving talent but unable to protect it. Encouraging talent and beauty but witnessing the killing of the talented person
Author's sentiment: Appreciative, empathetic, poignant, sympathetic
Artistry: Describing the emotional development with utmost authenticity and poignancy
Rich individualized language: earnest, pleading, begging, disappointment coupled with actions, gestures, appearance
c. Closing
Through the play, we see Đan Thiềm as a woman who loves beauty, values talent
A person with a noble heart, alert in every situation
Explore more sample essays, compose great essays or works related to Vũ Như Tô on Mytour
- Analyze the tragedy of Vũ Như Tô in Farewell to the Nine-Story Tower
- Compare the artistic views of the two characters Phùng in The Boat Outside and Vũ Như Tô in Farewell to the Nine-Story Tower
Perception of the character Đan Thiềm through the 5th act of the play Vũ Như Tô, sample number 2:
Author Nguyễn Huy Tưởng (1912 - 1960) hails from a Confucian family in ancient Bắc Ninh, now belonging to Đông Anh district, Hanoi. He was actively involved in the revolutionary movement in cultural and artistic organizations led by the Party from an early age. Nguyễn Huy Tưởng tended to explore historical themes to create large-scale works, depicting grandiose images of the heroic history of the nation. He is a talented playwright with a writing style that is both simple, luminous, and profound when addressing philosophical issues.
'Vũ Như Tô' stands out as a magnificent historical play by Nguyễn Huy Tưởng, showcasing the excellence of modern Vietnamese theater. Created in 1941, the play is based on a historical event that took place in the capital Thăng Long during the late Lê dynasty. Consisting of 5 acts, the excerpt from 'Farewell to the Nine-Story Tower' represents the final act of the play, where the character Vũ Như Tô leaves a profound impression.
The play 'Vũ Như Tô' raises a historical and social issue for contemplation— the function, role, and purpose of the artist in society. Whom does the artist serve with their talent? For whom is every work of art created? Reading 'Vũ Như Tô,' one gains a deeper understanding of these themes and their significance. Here, historical events and theatrical stories intertwine with life, yesterday, and today.
The dramatic conflicts in Act V mainly revolve around the tensions between Đan Thiềm and Vũ Như Tô, Trịnh Duy Sản and Lê Tương Dực, Nguyễn Vũ, Kim Phượng, and even the palace maids with Đan Thiềm. Conflicts arise between Nguyễn Hoằng Dụ, the rebels, the craftsmen building the Nine-Story Tower, and Vũ Như Tô and Đan Thiềm.
The historical backdrop reflected in the play 'Vũ Như Tô' spans from 1510 to 1516 under the reign of King Lê Tương Dực, a debauched and extravagant monarch. Enemies rise like bees, turning Thăng Long into a battlefield. Lê Tương Dực kills King Lê Uy Mục (the demon king) to seize the throne. Trịnh Duy Sản kills Lê Tương Dực and burns his corpse. Nguyễn Hoàng Dụ sets fire to the capital Thăng Long, captures Vũ Như Tô, the architect of the Nine-Story Tower, and executes her on the outskirts. Trần Cao leads a rebellion, causing chaos and destruction. The royal court is divided into factions, each pursuing their own interests—'become king or become enemy.' The people suffer greatly, subjected to relentless oppression. A popular folk verse echoes through villages and markets of that time:
'Heaven orchestrates a farcical play,
A king turns out a scoundrel, a scoundrel turns out a king.'
In the chaotic era, tales of nausea abound. As the 'demon king' is slain, the 'pig king' swiftly crawls onto the throne. Sibling rivalry, the prince's debauchery with his father's concubine, court intrigues, lascivious courtiers in the royal harem—all unfold amidst the rebellion. Some pitying souls wish to rescue others, unwittingly causing calamity. Foolish actions inflict suffering on the populace. Đan Thiềm and Vũ Như Tô, pitiable figures entangled in the web of fate and reputation, are ultimately scorned, oppressed, and killed—an unfortunate fate!
Đan Thiềm, a court maid with modest beauty and a compassionate heart, recognizes the value of talent. She harbors special feelings for Vũ Như Tô. Initially resistant to using her talents for the debauched and extravagant 'pig general,' Vũ Như Tô faces the threat of execution. In this dire situation, Đan Thiềm guides Vũ Như Tô to escape, advising him not to defy the king's orders. However, when the rebellion ravages the capital, targeting the architects of the Nine-Story Tower as the supposed 'culprits,' Đan Thiềm rushes frantically, her face drained of color, to find Vũ Như Tô. She earnestly implores the skilled architect, 'You must escape. You must run away...wait for another opportunity. The grand project is ruined.' As the sound of approaching rebels, drums, bells, horses, and the roar of the rebellion intensify, and they hunt for the 'culprit' to kill and destroy the Nine-Story Tower, Đan Thiềm is not concerned about her own life but only fears for Vũ Như Tô's safety. She pleads desperately, 'Don't let that talent go to waste. If you meet your fate, our land will no longer have anyone to adorn it.' The compassionate nature and the recognition of talent by Đan Thiềm are truly admirable. Yet, her simplistic and naive mindset is pitiable. Is it true that if Vũ Như Tô is killed, 'our land will no longer have anyone to adorn it'? Is it true that 'when the people rise, they are extremely foolish, showing no discernment between right and wrong'?
Whether Đan Thiềm knew or not, King Lê Tương Dực mercilessly imposed taxes, 'sucked the fat of the people,' to build the Nine-Story Tower for a lavish life amidst hundreds, if not thousands, of concubines. Whether Đan Thiềm knew or not, the construction of the Nine-Story Tower led to the arduous labor and suffering of tens of thousands of commoners and shipbuilders. Many died due to hunger, cold, illness, accidents, and those who tried to escape were captured and killed by Vũ Như Tô.
Đan Thiềm's excessive affection for Vũ Như Tô, valuing his talent, bordered on obsession. As the rebellion ravaged the capital, reducing the Nine-Story Tower to ruins, she continued to kneel and plead with Ngô Hạch (a martial artist, a commoner): 'General, spare the Eldest. Our land still needs many skilled artisans for adornment.' Despite the encroaching flames, the impending smoke and the fire reaching her feet, she remained 'absorbed,' beseeching: 'General, listen to me, don't commit atrocities. Don't kill the Eldest. I'm willing to die.'
Đan Thiềm's overwhelming affection for Vũ Như Tô, her excessive reverence for his talent, manifested in her words and actions. However, in the chaotic state of the nation, with a decadent and lascivious king causing immense suffering to the populace, one of the perceived culprits being Vũ Như Tô, did she know? Faced with public opinion, with praise or criticism from peers (even if it were malicious gossip), one should listen and reflect. Yet, Đan Thiềm disregarded all, persisting in her reverie, even as her life hung by a thread!
Building and destroying the Nine-Story Tower are monumental national events. Yet, a court maid (like hundreds of thousands of other court maids who only use their beauty to satisfy the desires of kings) with limited intellect continued to spout nonsense, clinging to trivial matters! The death of Đan Thiềm is a tragedy: a tragedy of love and justice, a tragedy of vague awareness, a tragedy between art and sin! Her death is a tragedy. Just as the folk verse has passed down:
'Helping others without foresight,
Causing disaster, blood flooding the streets'.
Đan Thiềm 'helped,' 'cared' for Vũ Như Tô, cherishing the skilled artisan's talent. But did she know that Vũ Như Tô's construction of the Nine-Story Tower incurred immense costs and brought complaints from the people? Ultimately, Đan Thiềm is also an accomplice with Vũ Như Tô, one who 'caused disaster.'
Art is not deceit. Art is not solely for the indulgent lives of demonic kings, pig-like rulers, or the minority elite in society. Art is not a mere painted pastry. Art must not inflict suffering upon the common people. Participation in national affairs is not open to everyone. These are lessons not just for historical figures like Đan Thiềm but also for serious contemplation by anyone in society. Hence, Đan Thiềm is a pitiable character.
In the poem 'Foolishness' (from the collection 'Sending Fragrance to the Wind'), the poet Xuân Diệu wrote:
'People suffer not from circumstance,
Love errs in fate, and affection doesn't choose the person.
Having wealth but not offering freely,
People suffer because begging is not a choice.
Through a life full of tragedies and the death of the character Đan Thiềm in history, in the play 'Vũ Như Tô' by Nguyễn Huy Tưởng, we resonate with the verses above by Xuân Diệu.
