1964: “We Know Less Than Shakespeare”: World Literature in Contemporary Chinese Literature

HONG Zicheng

Peking University

Page 080-095

Abstract: In the first thirty years of contemporary Chinese literature, the approach to Western classical literature was complex. On the one hand, the translation and research of Western literary works before the 20th century saw significant progress. On the other hand, interpretation was marked by caution and high vigilance: there was a persistent focus on class and socio-historical criticism to identify the “limitations” of the times and class depicted in the works, in order to guard against the “negative factors” potentially hindering the cultivation of a new socialist people and new literature. In 1964, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth was commemorated with events around the world. During the Cold War, different countries marked the occasion in various ways, and critics from different political and cultural backgrounds provided distinctly different interpretations of Shakespeare. This highlighted the close relationship between this global cultural event and the international and domestic political situations, as well as differing political ideologies.

Keywords: world literature, Shakespeare, contemporary Chinese literature

DOI: 10.53397/hunnu.jflc.202502007

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