萧后形象的文本演变及文化内涵

The Evolution and Cultural Connotation of Empress Xiao’s Character

作为隋炀帝的皇后,历史上记载的萧后与文学作品中的萧后形象相去甚远。史书中的萧后是一个有一定责任感、颇具传统妇德的女性。唐代,萧后形象开始从历史走向文学,基本符合史书对萧后的描述;宋元时期,萧后被丑化,开始作为炀帝昏暴之行参与者的形象出现;明代,萧后被塑造成无才无德的平庸女性,并展现出市民的审美趣味;清代文本极力渲染她的不贞失节,并进一步加强了批判力度。

Xiao is the wife of the Emperor Sui-yang in the Sui dynasty （581--618）. There are many differences records of her stories in history and literature. In historical records, Empress Xiao has the traditional virtues such as the sense of responsibility. In the Tang Dynasty（618--907）, Xiao began to be a literature image from history, basically conforms to the historical description of Xiao; During the Song（960--1279） and Yuan Dynasties（1127--1368）, Xiao was vilified, became the participant of Emperor Sui-yang＇s act of violence. In the Ming Dynasty （1368--1644）, she was described as an ordinary woman without talent and virtue. The description catered to the taste of the citizen. In the Qing Dynasty （1644--1911）, Xiao＇s faithless action was criticized strongly by the fictionists.