《白兔记》创作年代新证

A New Proof of Created Age of White Rabbit Legend

《白兔记》为明人称为"四大传奇"之一,在南戏中具有较高的地位。关于它的创作年代,学界一般认为是元代,然也有学者认为它或成书于宋。经考证,《白兔记》不可能早于元灭南宋、统一南北,即公元1279年。一是《白兔记》的情节内容完全承袭《刘知远诸宫调》而来;二是"刘知远故事"自北宋始一直在北方流行;三是《白兔记》中的爱情套路与《拜月亭》《琵琶记》等如出一辙;四是《寒山堂曲谱》《白兔记》中的"刘唐卿改过"的小注,恰暴露了南戏改编者借鉴了刘氏的同题材杂剧。

White Rabbit Legend has a high position in South Drama,which was named as one of ＆quot;four legends＆quot; by the Ming Dynasty. Concerning the dynasty of its creation,it was generally spoken in Yuan Dynasty by scholars,however,some also thought it was written in Song Dynasty. The contents have four evidences to explain it was impossible that the White Rabbit Legend created in the year of A.D.1279.Firstly,its plots were from the book of Liu Zhiyuan＆#39; story. Secondly,the story about Liu Zhiyuan was prevailing in North since North Song. Thirdly,its love story was so similar to Obeisance Moon Cabin and Pipa Legend. Fourthly,Liu Tangqin was altered by Hangshan Music of Song,which apparently proved that South Drama adapter absorbed the same theme drama from Mr.Liu.