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Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen: genre, summary, structure, content, artistry
Compose the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen
I. Exploring the Tuong Play Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen
1. Origin of the Tuong Play Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
- The Tuong play 'Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen' is excerpted from the famous Tuong play 'Crabs, Clams, Snails, and Mrs. Hen'.
2. Main Content of the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
- The Tuong play 'Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen' recounts the shameful, awkward encounter between three characters: Nghêu, Huyện Trìa, and Đề Hầu at Mrs. Hen's house late at night.
3. Structure of the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
It consists of 4 parts:
- Part 1 (from the beginning to 'will reveal their love story'): the conversation between Nghêu and Mrs. Hen.
- Part 2 (from then to 'take revenge'): the dialogue between Đề Hầu and Mrs. Hen.
4. Summary of the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
The Tuong play 'Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen' begins with Nghêu cautiously making his way to Mrs. Hen's house late at night. While sweet-talking Mrs. Hen, he is startled by the call of Đề Hầu, causing him to fearfully hide under the bed. Similarly, not long after Đề Hầu enters Mrs. Hen's house, the call of Huyện Trìa echoes from outside the door. Startled and panicked, he quickly finds a hiding spot. Mrs. Hen opens the door for Huyện Trìa to enter. Mrs. Hen's cleverness traps all three. Here, the reunion of the three leaves each feeling ashamed and embarrassed.
5. Expression Method of the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
- Expression method: autobiography.
6. Genre of the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
- Genre: comedic tuong.
7. Content Value of the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
- Criticizes and exposes the frivolous, indulgent behaviors of the feudal society's elites.
- Offers a cautionary lesson against indulging in vices and bad habits.
8. Artistic Value of the Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen: genre, summary, structure, content, artistry
II. Outline of the Tuong Play Crafty Scheme of Mrs. Hen:
1. Stage Directions and Effects:
- Some stage directions found in the text:
+ Words enclosed in parentheses.
+ Actions of characters Đề Hầu, Thị Hến, Huyện Trìa, Nghêu.
- Effects:
+ Used to indicate voice modulation for actors.
+ Encourages characters to reveal their essence, personality.
+ Generates witty humor, making the tuong play more appealing, captivating.
+ Helps readers easily follow the actions of characters in the tuong play.
2. Elements Creating Laughter in the Excerpt
- Situation: All three characters Nghêu, Đề Hầu, Huyện Trìa represent the upper class of society but come to the widow's house late at night with furtive appearances and fall into a cunning trap.
- Language: The comedic element in the text is primarily expressed through Nghêu's words. Upon hearing Đề Hầu accuse him of a capital offense, Nghêu is frightened but goes on to accuse Đề Hầu when confronted by Huyện Trìa.
- Actions:
+ Nghêu: hears Đề Hầu sliding under the bed and reacts.
+ Đề Hầu: terrified upon hearing Huyện Trìa's voice, seeks hiding.
3. Characteristics of Characters:
a) Character Nghêu:
- Background: Religious teacher.
- Personality:
+ Lustful: sneaks to the widow's house late at night, sweet-talks 'Living like this, wasting the talent of a widow'.
+ Timid: upon hearing Đề Hầu' voice hiding under the bed, asks Hến 'Where else to hide!'.
+ Flattering: lavishly praises Huyện Trìa 'Blissful heart! Blissful heart!/ Fair judgment/ Fair judgment!' but turns to accuse Đề Hầu 'Sister's adultery!'.
=> A religious person but passionate about women's beauty.
b) Character Đề Hầu:
- Background: Works in the official's house.
- Personality:
+ Lustful: comes to the widow's house late at night.
+ Timid: terrified upon hearing Huyện Trìa's voice, exclaims 'Intellectual beauty change! Beauty change!/ Listening to the soul's horror! Horror!'.
c) Character Huyện Trìa:
- Background: District magistrate.
- Personality:
+ Adulterous: visits the widow's house at night.
=> All three characters Đề Hầu, Huyện Trìa, Nghêu represent the upper echelon of society but are passionate about women's beauty, accustomed to vulgar habits.
d) Character Thị Hến:
- Background: Widow.
- Personality:
+ Nonchalant, flirtatious: sweet-talks all three Nghêu, Huyện Trìa, Đề Hầu leaving them infatuated.
+ Intelligent, cunning: instigates Huyện Trìa to bring all three together.
