Top 8 Analytical Essays on the Character Vũ Như Tô in 'Vĩnh Biệt Cửu Trùng Đài'

Nguyễn Huy Tưởng, a novelist and playwright, was known for his focus on historical themes. Through these subjects, he introduced fresh perspectives and ideas about art and life. Among his works, the play 'Vũ Như Tô' stands out, portraying the tragedy of a talented artist born in the wrong era while emphasizing the inseparable bond between art and life. This theme is vividly reflected in the excerpt 'Farewell to Cửu Trùng Đài.'

His genius was described as having the power to 'command bricks and stones like a general leading troops,' creating magnificent structures with unmatched precision. His extraordinary talent is highlighted through Đan Thiềm's words in the play: 'If anything happens to you, our country will lose its only artist capable of such wonders.' She urged Vũ Như Tô to flee and preserve his 'heavenly gift.'

In addition to his talent, Vũ Như Tô was a bold intellectual. When Lê Tương Dực requested him to construct Cửu Trùng Đài, he fearlessly refused, despite threats of death. He did not wish to use his skills to build a palace for the tyrant’s hedonistic pleasures.

However, he was also deeply passionate about art, striving to create beauty that could enrich life. Encouraged by Đan Thiềm, Vũ Như Tô devoted himself to building Cửu Trùng Đài, a magnificent palace that could 'rival the craftsmanship of nature' and endure for eternity, as a gift to the nation and future generations. He poured all his efforts into the project, even amidst chaos and rebellion, refusing to flee or abandon his work. To him, the Cửu Trùng Đài was more important than his own life. Even as he faced death, he clung to the hope of completing his masterpiece. But when the grand palace was set ablaze and turned to ashes, he felt his life had ended and calmly accepted his fate.

Yet, Vũ Như Tô’s vision and actions were flawed. Building Cửu Trùng Đài required immense resources, all taken from the people through oppressive taxes. As the palace rose, the people's suffering deepened, fueling their resentment. To enforce discipline on the construction site, he ordered harsh punishments, even executions, turning himself into an enemy of the people.

Even in the face of rebellion and imminent danger, Vũ Như Tô failed to see his mistakes, believing his work to be just and beneficial to society. His pleas and explanations fell on deaf ears, as the soldiers only saw the suffering caused by Cửu Trùng Đài. Their anger culminated in its destruction. In his final moments, Vũ Như Tô lamented his shattered dreams and calmly walked to his execution, declaring, 'What was my crime? Why give me this talent, Heaven?'

The destruction of Cửu Trùng Đài and Vũ Như Tô’s demise highlight a tragic truth: art that disregards the lives and well-being of the people cannot endure. While the palace was an extraordinary artistic achievement, it was also a symbol of oppression, leading to its inevitable downfall. This tragedy forces us to reflect on the relationship between art and life, emphasizing that art must serve humanity.

Among the three plays by Nguyễn Huy Tưởng—"Vũ Như Tô" (1941), "Bắc Sơn" (1946), and "Những người ở lại" (1948)—"Vũ Như Tô" stands out as a historical and social tragedy, exploring themes of talent, morality, art, and human existence. Even today, it provokes thought and remains profoundly relevant.

Vũ Như Tô, a historical figure from the reign of King Lê Tương Dực—mockingly nicknamed "the pig king" by his contemporaries—became synonymous with the construction of the grandiose Cửu Trùng Đài. This ambitious architectural marvel, eventually demolished by rebels, led to his tragic demise.

As a gifted artist, Vũ Như Tô lived and died engulfed in tragedy. Was he deserving of admiration or pity? Initially, he resolutely refused to use his talents for Lê Tương Dực's hedonistic pursuits. However, swayed by Đan Thiềm's gentle persuasion, he changed his stance, dedicating himself to constructing Cửu Trùng Đài. His idealistic vision was to create a magnificent structure that rivaled nature itself—immortal and unparalleled, bringing glory to his nation and pride to future generations.

However, Cửu Trùng Đài’s construction came at an unbearable cost. Lê Tương Dực drained the treasury and oppressed the populace, causing widespread suffering. Countless workers toiled under brutal conditions; many perished from hunger, exhaustion, or accidents. Runaway laborers faced severe punishment. Vũ Như Tô, once a visionary, became the architect of misery, his hands stained with the people's blood.

His lofty ambitions, though romantic, were ultimately meaningless. Did he not realize his talent served the indulgent whims of a corrupt king? Did he fail to see that his work brought no benefit to the people but rather amplified their suffering? Despite his remarkable skills, Vũ Như Tô was tragically out of place in his era. His misguided philosophy of "art for art’s sake" prioritized grandeur over human welfare. Building Cửu Trùng Đài for a tyrant, not the people, was a grievous error. Even after Lê Tương Dực's death and the destruction of Cửu Trùng Đài, Vũ Như Tô remained oblivious, clinging to his vision.

Đan Thiềm urged him to flee, warning, "Everyone blames you: the king’s extravagance, the suffering of the people, the depletion of the treasury—all because of you. They don't need Cửu Trùng Đài; they want you dead." Yet Vũ Như Tô naively believed he was misunderstood, insisting he had committed no crime.

Even as chaos engulfed the capital, and rebels sought vengeance, Vũ Như Tô remained in denial. He begged to explain his vision to An Hòa Hầu, convinced of his innocence and hoping to complete his masterpiece. His plea, "I built Cửu Trùng Đài not to harm the nation but to glorify it," was met with scorn. The rebels reminded him of the countless lives lost due to his dream.

Even when dragged to his execution, Vũ Như Tô lamented, "My life is worth less than Cửu Trùng Đài." His final cries—"Why was I given this talent? Oh, my grand dream! Oh, Đan Thiềm! Oh, Cửu Trùng Đài!"—echoed the despair of a deluded artist crushed by his unyielding idealism.

His tragic end underscores the folly of serving a tyrant blindly. Vũ Như Tô, despite his brilliance, was deemed a corrupt figure by courtiers and rebels alike. He remained committed to his vision of creating an enduring masterpiece, even as his world crumbled. His life’s tragedy lies in his noble yet misguided pursuit, which ultimately opposed the happiness of the masses. Cửu Trùng Đài was neither "for the people, by the people, nor of the people."

Nguyễn Huy Tưởng, a learned intellectual with a deep love for his country and revolutionary spirit, was known for his profound focus on historical themes, especially in historical drama. As a patriotic man who revered the history of his nation, his works were widely embraced by the people. The play "Farewell to Cửu Trùng Đài" stands out as a triumph, particularly in how it portrays the character Vũ Như Tô. Vũ Như Tô was a gifted individual, passionate about serving his homeland, yet blinded by his own ambitious dreams.

Vũ Như Tô was a visionary, full of idealism but also stubborn and misguided. He was a gifted man, considered a genius, who built a grand tower and left his mark on history with a few strokes of his pen. Through romantic and idealized writing, the author praises the dreams and aspirations of the character, showing the beauty and brilliance of the man. Vũ Như Tô was not only talented, but almost a genius in his own right. His ambition was to create Cửu Trùng Đài, a magnificent structure to adorn the country, showcasing his artistry and challenging future creations. The long, rhythmic sentences, rapid pacing, and passionate tone reflect his intense love for beauty. Vũ Như Tô sought a balance between personal and collective dreams, living his life in pursuit of this great passion, hoping to serve the nation with his work. However, his ambition was never realized and could only have been achieved in a different societal context, where the people’s right to appreciate beauty was respected and equality between the people and the ruling powers was upheld. In reality, however, his dream was a fantasy, as the construction of Cửu Trùng Đài drained the royal treasury, caused the suffering of the people, and incurred divine wrath. As a result, Vũ Như Tô became the enemy of the people and was condemned as a villain.

Despite his patriotism and idealism, Vũ Như Tô believed his actions were justified, unaware that his dreams were unrealistic. His stubbornness, his refusal to see the consequences of his actions, led him from one disaster to another. He believed in the supremacy of beauty and righteousness, yet failed to recognize that in pursuing his own ideals, he caused great harm to the common people. It was this delusion that led to his tragic end. Even when warned to flee, he refused, convinced that his actions were noble and that there was no need to escape. At the time, the capital was in turmoil, the workers joined the rebels and set fire to Cửu Trùng Đài, the king was killed, and the queen and officials were captured. Vũ Như Tô was threatened with execution, but Đan Thiềm desperately urged him to escape. However, Vũ Như Tô remained resolute. He was determined to live and die with Cửu Trùng Đài, declaring that nothing in his life was more valuable than it. The workers and soldiers, who had no personal grudge against him, burned the tower, but Vũ Như Tô could not comprehend their hatred. Such a man, so deeply devoted to beauty, yet lost in his delusions, evokes both sympathy and sadness.

Vũ Như Tô, who once competed with nature's beauty, now found himself battling fate. The more he immersed himself in art, the further he drifted from reality, with each deeper thought leading him further away from the harshness of life. Even as Đan Thiềm was taken away, Vũ Như Tô held onto hope, still attempting to explain himself to An Hòa Hầu, the one who had ordered the destruction of Cửu Trùng Đài. Witnessing the devastation of his dream, Vũ Như Tô cried out, "Oh, my great dream! Oh, Đan Thiềm! Oh, Cửu Trùng Đài!" His words, broken into short exclamations, sounded like desperate sobs of a man facing his ultimate fate. In the final moments of his life, Vũ Như Tô suffered, consumed by his dream, his love for his country, and his devotion to beauty. His lament reflects both the dignity of a man in agony and the tragedy of his misguided vision. Vũ Như Tô symbolizes those who, driven by their love for beauty and their nation, build their homeland but, due to the wrong timing and circumstances, create a heartbreaking tragedy that they never deserved. A man like him is more pitiable than blameworthy.

The work successfully brings to life the character of Vũ Như Tô, highlighting the flaws of the society at the time, where corrupt rulers indulged in luxury while the people suffered. Vũ Như Tô represents the intelligent, patriotic individuals dedicated to their nation, whose talents are overshadowed by the corruption and chaos around them.

Starting from a real historical event in the 16th century, Nguyễn Huy Tưởng crafted the play "Vũ Như Tô," a modern tragic work that raises a crucial question: the fate of art and the artist in a country drowning under the corrupt feudal system.

The central character of the play is the brilliant artist, Vũ Như Tô, whose artistic ideals and passion for beauty drive him to create masterpieces, yet he fails to recognize the contradictions between his lofty artistic vision and the grim reality of the suffering masses building Cửu Trùng Đài. Ultimately, this disconnect leads to a tragic cost—his own life.

The play consists of five acts. Lê Tương Dực forces Vũ Như Tô to build the Cửu Trùng Đài. Vũ Như Tô, an artist of integrity and strong artistic ideals, is not motivated by fear of death or greed. Initially, he refuses to build the tower for a corrupt ruler, but later, when rewarded with gold and silk by the king, he shares everything with the workers. However, Vũ Như Tô becomes so consumed by his dream of creating an immortal work of art for the country that he ignores the reality: the people are starving and suffering under the oppressive ruling class, which exploits their labor to build the tower. Meanwhile, the ruling class is embroiled in infighting, their contradictions reaching a breaking point. In the end, the tyrant Lê Tương Dực is killed, and the workers rebel, destroying the Cửu Trùng Đài. Vũ Như Tô is also killed. The excerpt "Farewell to Cửu Trùng Đài" is the final act and the climax of the play.

The most striking characteristic of Vũ Như Tô is that of the artist, embodying the passion and yearning to create beauty. However, in the specific context of the play, this beauty becomes a hollow, luxurious, and even "sublime and bloody" flower of evil. In his obsessive pursuit of beauty, Vũ Như Tô faces the tragic consequences of his idealism. He becomes an enemy of the people and the workers without even realizing it.

Was building Cửu Trùng Đài right or wrong? Vũ Như Tô cannot answer this question satisfactorily, as he views the world solely from the artist's perspective, not from the perspective of the people or the greater good. His actions do not seek reconciliation but rather challenge fate and accept destruction. Once, he competed with nature's beauty, but now he stubbornly battles with fate and life itself. The play's dramatic progression is marked by Vũ Như Tô's internal struggle.

In the final act, Vũ Như Tô enters a state of crisis—only Đan Thiềm fully understands his extraordinary talent. This marks his tragic disillusionment.

Vũ Như Tô cannot escape his own delusions. He refuses to believe that his grand creation could be seen as a crime, nor can he accept that his noble actions are questioned and doubted. The heartbreak of Vũ Như Tô's disillusionment is even greater than Đan Thiềm's. This pain is expressed through his desperate cry, which echoes with a sorrowful, haunting melody that not only dominates the play's final moments but also reverberates through the entire work. "Oh, my grand dream! Oh, Đan Thiềm! Oh, Cửu Trùng Đài!" These are the final cries of Vũ Như Tô as the inferno consumes the Cửu Trùng Đài, and he is led to his execution. In these cries, the dream, Đan Thiềm, and the tower are intertwined, the agony of loss blending into one overwhelming tragic lament.

Vũ Như Tô's artistic ambition was noble and beautiful, stemming from the artist's calling and a deep love for his country. However, it was misplaced in a time of rampant corruption and suffering, where the ruling class lived in excess while the people starved under heavy taxes and forced labor. This disconnect from reality led to the loss of his life and his artistic creation.

In the construction of Cửu Trùng Đài, Vũ Như Tô is both the perpetrator and the victim. He is a perpetrator because he carried out the orders of the tyrant, causing further suffering to the people. He is also a victim of his own illusions, trapped in the unresolved conflict between artistic ideals and the harsh realities of the time.

Through a highly synthesized dramatic language, particularly in the final act of the play, the author successfully navigates the complex conflicts of the narrative, painting a grand tragic portrait of life set to the tempestuous rhythm of its stormy conclusion. The characterization, emotional depth, and the high-action language all come together to bring the central character of Vũ Như Tô to life in this historical drama.

Nguyễn Huy Tưởng was inclined towards writing about historical themes and achieved notable success in both novels and plays. Drawing inspiration from a real historical event in the 16th century, he wrote the play "Vũ Như Tô," a modern tragedy that delves into the vital issue of the fate of art and the artist within the context of a nation suffering under a corrupt feudal regime. The character of Vũ Như Tô plays a central role in the play "Farewell to the Cửu Trùng Đài," embodying exceptional qualities and a tragic destiny.

Vũ Như Tô is the protagonist of the play, a brilliant artist who is a once-in-a-millennium genius. He is a gifted architect with high artistic ideals, a love for beauty, and a passionate desire to create. However, Vũ Như Tô fails to recognize the contradiction between his artistic ideals and the harsh reality of the suffering people. In the end, he is killed during the construction of the Cửu Trùng Đài, paying the ultimate price for his vision with a tragic death.

The play "Vũ Như Tô" consists of five acts. At the beginning, the tyrant Lê Tương Dực forces Vũ Như Tô to build the Cửu Trùng Đài. A man of honor, Vũ Như Tô initially refuses to create the tower for such a despotic ruler. However, after being persuaded by Đan Thiềm, he agrees to take on the task. When the king rewards him with gold and silver, Vũ Như Tô shares it all with the workers. But his obsession with building a magnificent, timeless work of art causes him to forget the harsh reality: the people are starving, and the tyrants are exploiting their sweat, blood, and tears. Meanwhile, the ruling class is entangled in violent internal conflicts. These tensions reach a climax, culminating in the tyrant's death, the workers' revolt, and the destruction of the Cửu Trùng Đài, followed by Vũ Như Tô's own death.

Vũ Như Tô has an intense desire to create beauty, but in this particular context, beauty becomes superficial, even bloody, symbolized by a "flower of evil." His relentless pursuit of beauty leads him into a tragic conflict, as he unknowingly becomes the enemy of the people and the workers. Whether building the Cửu Trùng Đài was right or wrong is a question Vũ Như Tô never answers, as he only sees the world from the perspective of an artist and not the people. He chooses beauty over morality, failing to comfort the people and disregarding the destructive consequences. Vũ Như Tô, once a masterful artist, now stubbornly challenges fate and life itself, and his emotional journey illustrates this internal conflict.

Throughout the play, Vũ Như Tô enters a state of crisis—a painful disillusionment from which he cannot escape. He cannot comprehend how his noble actions could be seen as crimes, nor accept that his honesty is scorned and doubted. His agony is expressed through mournful cries and a somber tone, which pervades the final act and echoes backward throughout the rest of the play. These are his final cries as the flames consume the Cửu Trùng Đài and he is led to his execution. In these cries, his grand dreams, the figure of Đan Thiềm, and the Cửu Trùng Đài intertwine, symbolizing the overwhelming loss that becomes one final, tragic pain.

Vũ Như Tô's artistic aspirations were noble and born of an artist's calling, patriotism, and a national spirit. However, these aspirations were misplaced, coming at a time when the ruling class was decadent and detached from the people’s suffering. Ultimately, Vũ Như Tô paid with his life, and so did his artistic creation.

Nguyễn Huy Tưởng, a novelist and playwright, was known for his focus on historical themes, through which he introduced novel ideas and perspectives about art and life. His most notable play, "Vũ Như Tô," vividly portrays the tragic fate of an artist whose genius was wasted due to the era in which he lived, highlighting the profound connection between art and life. This theme is most fully expressed in the excerpt "Farewell to the Cửu Trùng Đài."

Firstly, Vũ Như Tô is depicted as a rare genius, one who is "a once-in-a-thousand-years talent." His ability is so extraordinary that he can "command bricks and stones as a general commands his army, constructing grand palaces that reach the clouds without a single brick being misplaced." His talent is extraordinary, almost supernatural, and this is further emphasized by Đan Thiềm's words in the excerpt: "If anything happens to you, no one will be left to adorn our country," advising Vũ Như Tô to escape to preserve such a gift.

Not only is he an artistic genius, but also a man of intellect and courage. When the tyrant Lê Tương Dực requests him to build the Cửu Trùng Đài, he boldly refuses, undeterred by the king's threat of death. He refuses to use his genius to create for a despotic ruler who seeks only self-indulgence.

However, Vũ Như Tô is also deeply passionate about art and has a fervent desire to create beauty for the world. Despite Đan Thiềm's warnings, he dedicates himself entirely to constructing the Cửu Trùng Đài. His ideals are pure and admirable, as he uses his talent to create a magnificent structure that "could rival the craftsmanship of the gods," a lasting monument for the country and future generations. He relentlessly pursues the completion of the tower at any cost. Even when riots break out, he refuses to abandon the project, convinced that his work will ultimately benefit society. He believes in the goodness of his actions, and until the moment of his capture and death, he still holds onto hope that the tower will be completed. Upon seeing the Cửu Trùng Đài destroyed, reduced to ashes, Vũ Như Tô resigns to his fate and calmly walks to his execution. To him, the Cửu Trùng Đài, his artistic creation, was more precious than his own life.

Yet, he is mistaken in both thought and action. In his drive to complete the Cửu Trùng Đài, he comes into conflict with the people. The monumental cost of the project comes at the expense of the suffering of the masses, who are burdened by exorbitant, unjust taxes levied by Lê Tương Dực. The people endure extreme hardship, pushed to their limits. The higher the Cửu Trùng Đài rises, the more the blood, sweat, and tears of the people are poured into it. As a result, resentment and hatred towards the project intensify. Moreover, in his obsessive pursuit of completing the tower, Vũ Như Tô orders harsh punishments and even executions of workers who attempt to escape, further tightening control on the construction site. Over time, he becomes a villain, the architect of the suffering endured by the people.

Even as the uprising grows, and danger looms, Vũ Như Tô fails to recognize his mistakes. He still believes that his work is righteous, insisting that he has done no wrong. He pledges to live and die for the Cửu Trùng Đài, confident that his efforts have been pure and just. He argues that he has caused no harm, and he believes in the wisdom of the official An Hòa Hầu. He tries to explain, to make others understand the grand dream that has defined his life. So why does he deserve punishment? How can he be considered a villain? But his words only provoke laughter and mockery from the soldiers, who cannot comprehend his lofty vision. They only know the suffering caused by the tower, and their hatred grows. The more Vũ Như Tô tries to explain, the angrier they become. In the final moments, when he learns of the tower's destruction, he screams in horror, and with resigned calm, he orders that he be taken to the execution ground: "Oh my God! What was the point of all this? Oh, my grand dream! Oh, Đan Thiềm, oh, Cửu Trùng Đài! ... It's over. Take me to the execution ground..."

The tragic end of Vũ Như Tô is inevitable. Though the Cửu Trùng Đài is a magnificent work of art, it is flawed and ultimately destroyed because it represents an "evil flower." From the beginning, Vũ Như Tô has pursued beauty, pure art, without ever considering the needs of the people. He was an artist, not a wise man. The question arises: Was it just to send such a brilliant artist to his death? Is it right to destroy the Cửu Trùng Đài as a symbol of self-indulgence, or as a monumental artwork that honors the nation? Vũ Như Tô never answers this question. In the early scenes, he repeatedly asks, "I have done no wrong," but by the end of the play, he shifts to questioning, "What is my crime?" His tragic fate forces us to reflect on the relationship between art and life, realizing that art must serve humanity and life itself.

The author skillfully uses language that is both rich in symbolism and deeply expressive. The tension in the play reaches a peak, revealing the true nature of the characters. The layers of the play are dynamic and natural, full of dramatic intensity that captivates the audience. Through this excerpt, Nguyễn Huy Tưởng's mastery of dramatic structure shines through. Through a rich, multi-layered use of language, the author helps us understand the complexity of Vũ Như Tô's character. For this character, the author expresses both admiration for his ruined talent and sympathy for his fate. At the same time, it serves as a lesson for artists: for art to survive, it must be rooted in life, serving humanity.

Nguyễn Huy Tưởng is widely recognized as a prominent novelist and playwright with a strong inclination toward historical themes. Through these topics, he presents fresh insights into art and life. Among his plays, his most famous work is "Vũ Như Tô," which depicts the tragic fate of an artist whose brilliance is wasted due to the wrong time and place, highlighting the deep connection between art and life. This theme is most thoroughly explored in the excerpt "Farewell to the Cửu Trùng Đài."

The author portrays Vũ Như Tô as a man passionate about beauty, a skilled architect whose craftsmanship "could rival the gods." His architectural masterpieces earned him fame, even among the king and officials, which led to Lê Tương Dực ordering him to construct the Cửu Trùng Đài—a place for the ruler’s indulgence and pleasures. Despite being a sensible and compassionate person, Vũ Như Tô refuses to use his talents for such a corrupt ruler, even under threat of death.

However, after being persuaded by Đan Thiềm, a court lady who admires beauty and art, he is convinced to use the king’s power and wealth to create a grand castle for the people, one that would bring national pride for "a thousand years." He finally agrees to build the Cửu Trùng Đài.

Yet, Vũ Như Tô’s actions and thoughts were flawed. As he built the Cửu Trùng Đài, he came into conflict with the people. The construction required enormous resources, which were extracted from the poor through heavy, unjust taxes imposed by Lê Tương Dực. The people’s lives became increasingly unbearable, pushed to the brink of despair. The more the Cửu Trùng Đài grew, the more the blood, sweat, and tears of the common people were poured into it. This intensified the hatred and resentment against the project. Vũ Như Tô, in his obsessive desire to complete the tower, ordered severe punishments and even executions for workers who tried to escape, believing this would improve discipline on the construction site. Over time, he became a villain, the cause of immense suffering for the people.

If only Vũ Như Tô had a slightly kinder heart, his tragic downfall might have been avoided, as Nguyễn Du once wrote:

"The root lies in the heart of man,

Only the heart can surpass all talent."

Vũ Như Tô is both a criminal and a victim in the building of the Cửu Trùng Đài. He is guilty for carrying out the orders of a tyrannical ruler, despite the possible benefit to the nation, but he is also a victim of his idealization of his own desires and the clash between art and the harsh realities of life. The tragedy of Vũ Như Tô exemplifies the noble concept of art for the people, a principle far more admirable than the notion of art for art’s sake.

It can be argued that the disastrous end of Vũ Như Tô, and the destruction of the Cửu Trùng Đài, were inevitable. The Cửu Trùng Đài, though an exquisite piece of art, was flawed. It was an "evil flower" and thus destined for destruction. From the beginning, Vũ Như Tô stood solely for the ideals of beauty and pure art, never considering the needs of the people. He was an artist, not a wise man. But is it just to sentence such a talented artist to death? Is it right to destroy the Cửu Trùng Đài, considering it as a place for indulgence, or is it equally justified to destroy it as a monumental piece of art, a tribute to the nation? Vũ Như Tô himself never answers this question. He fails to comprehend his own crime. In the early scenes of the play, he repeatedly asks, "I have done no wrong," but by the end of the drama, he shifts to wondering, "What is my crime?" His tragedy compels us to reflect on the relationship between art and life, where art must serve the greater good.

The author employs highly skillful language, using a dramatic style rich in synthesis, especially in the final acts of the play, where the conflict reaches a climax. The author successfully portrays the tragic life of the character, creating a powerful, stormy rhythm. Notably, the depiction of Vũ Như Tô’s character and his inner turmoil through dialogue and action demonstrates the author’s mastery in portraying the protagonist’s complexity in this historical play.

Based on a real event from the 16th century under the reign of the infamous 'Pig King' Lê Tương Dực, the brilliant writer Nguyễn Huy Tưởng transformed this historical incident into the play 'Vũ Như Tô', leaving readers with deep reflections on the relationship between art and life. In the excerpt 'Farewell to the Cửu Trùng Đài', the playwright uses powerful action-based language to depict the character's portrait and his tragic fate. He is a talented artist, full of ambition, eager to contribute to his country, but he fails to understand the true value of genuine art and ultimately pays the price with his life.

'Vũ Như Tô' is a historical tragedy consisting of five acts, based on an event that took place in Thăng Long. Nguyễn Huy Tưởng wrote this piece during the summer of 1941. The excerpt 'Farewell to the Cửu Trùng Đài' is considered the most dramatic and excellent part of the play.

Vũ Như Tô is a genuine and talented architect, renowned for his exquisite craftsmanship. He has designed many architectural masterpieces admired by the king and nobility, but Lê Tương Dực forces him to build the Cửu Trùng Đài, a palace for indulgence and pleasure with the concubines. Despite being threatened with death, he refuses to use his talent to serve a tyrannical king. Only after being persuaded by the beautiful but materialistic concubine Đan Thiềm, who wishes to use the king's wealth and power to build a magnificent structure for the nation, does he agree to create the Cửu Trùng Đài.

He constructs the palace not to satisfy the whims of the decadent king but with the hope of contributing a beautiful architectural masterpiece to his homeland. A skilled artist driven by a passion to create beauty, he shares similarities with Huấn Cao and Viên, characters from Nguyễn Tuân's 'Chữ người tử tù', who also cherished art. Vũ Như Tô harbors a deep desire to 'embellish the country, to create a splendid tower that would surpass all past works, matching the craftsmanship of the heavens'. He is a rare and extraordinary talent.

He is also a person of great integrity, unafraid of power, death, or fame. He resolutely refused to build the Cửu Trùng Đài under the king’s command, despite threats to his life. Even when offered gold, silk, and jewels as rewards, he shared them with his workers. Even when rebels were threatening the city, Đan Thiềm urged him to flee, but he stayed behind, devoted to the Cửu Trùng Đài—his architectural masterpiece, which was more important than his own life. When captured, he only wished to explain himself to the commander to show his true intentions. The destruction of the Cửu Trùng Đài made his life seem meaningless. His devotion to art remained unwavering.

Though deeply passionate about beauty, he was blinded by it and failed to see the relationship between art and reality. At that time, the king and the court were living in luxury, exploiting and oppressing the common people, and the beauty of art built in such an environment became shallow and extravagant. It was like a 'vile flower' draining the treasury, taking lives, and pushing the people to the brink of despair. Heavy taxes led to widespread suffering, families were torn apart, and many workers died from overwork. Those who tried to flee were executed by Vũ Như Tô. Though his ideals were noble, he was complicit in the brutality of the tyrants. He stood solely on the perspective of the artist, ignoring the realities faced by the people, prioritizing beauty over goodness.

Vũ Như Tô, lost in the illusion of his grand architectural vision, could not recognize the dire reality of the suffering people. This blindness led to his tragic end in the play. He was unable to awaken from his dream and see that his idealism had turned into a crime against the people. His pain was compounded when he saw the Cửu Trùng Đài burn in flames. His cry: 'It’s really burning! It’s really burning! Oh, the evil party! Oh, the intense hatred! Why was I given this talent? Oh, great dream! Oh, Đan Thiềm! Oh, Cửu Trùng Đài!' and his eventual death are the price he pays for his illusory dreams. Wasn't this exactly what Nguyễn Du meant when he said at the end of 'Truyện Kiều':

'Having talent, what good is that?'
'Talent is linked to misfortune.'

Vũ Như Tô was a man driven by a genuine artistic passion, born from the pure heart of an artist who loved beauty and a patriot who wished to use his talent for the glory of the nation. However, his talent was misplaced, not aligned with the time or reality, as he trampled on the lives and rights of the people. The creator of the Cửu Trùng Đài had to pay the ultimate price with his life for his intellectual creation.

If only Vũ Như Tô had a bit of conscience, he could have avoided the disastrous fate that followed, for as Nguyễn Du once said:
'The essence lies in the heart,'
'The heart outweighs talent.'

Vũ Như Tô is both a perpetrator and a victim in the building of the Cửu Trùng Đài. He is a perpetrator for carrying out the tyrant’s orders, using them to decorate the nation, and a victim for idealizing his own desires and creating a conflict between art and real life. His tragedy illustrates the notion that art for humanity’s sake should be revered and celebrated far more than art for art’s sake.

Through a dramatic use of language, the play vividly portrays the contradictions and conflicts of a decaying feudal society while also capturing the personality and integrity of Vũ Như Tô—the talented architect devoted to his craft, who tragically failed to align his art with the realities of the common people.