Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Orphan of Zhao to The Orphan of China: A Comparative Study on the Portrayal of Tragic Heroes by Ji Junxiang and Voltaire

Lin KuangZhongnan University of Economics and Law Miaomiao PanCollege of Science & Technology Ningbo University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Yuan Zaju The Orphan of Zhao, a classic of Chinese classical tragedy, was adapted into The Orphan of China by the Enlightenment thinker Voltaire in the context of the rise of “China fever” in Europe in the 18th century, becoming a landmark event in the history of literary exchanges between China and the West. This article focuses on a cross-cultural comparison of the portrayal of tragic heroes in the two works, aiming to go beyond the limitations of previous studies that focused on plot adaptation and delve into how different ethical systems shape the core of tragic heroes, revealing the deep cultural logic of character image reconstruction in cross-cultural adaptations. The study found that the core similarities in the portrayal of tragic heroes between The Orphan of Zhao and The Orphan of China mainly include the core plot framework, ethical choices against power, the tragic nobility of the spirit of sacrifice, and the defense of “civilized values"; The core differences between the two works are mainly reflected in ethical motives, types of conflicts, heroic endings and heroic narratives. From this, the article concludes that the tragic heroism in the two works profoundly reflects the different ethical systems and demands of The Times behind them. The tragic hero in The Orphan of Zhao is the product of collectivism, Confucian ethics and the concept of karma; The tragic hero of The Orphan of China embodies individual rationality, humanitarianism, and the adherence to moral ideals amid civilizational conflicts.

Keywords: The Orphan of Zhao; The Orphan of China; Tragic Hero; Cross-cultural adaptation; Comparison
Published: October 2, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT27740
Volume: CHR Vol.85
pp. 102-113
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