《西厢记》原名《莺莺传》，又名《会真记》，是元代著名戏曲作家王实甫的杰作，也是元杂剧中最优美宏伟的大型喜剧。它在中国文学史上和中国戏曲史上都占有很重要地位，是我国古代戏曲发展高峰之一。自传世以来，版本众多，流传甚广，曾被历代统治者一再列为禁毁之列，但其结果却千百倍畅销，到明代更是大行其道，刻本之多，评家如云，叹为观止。

                 

         金圣叹说读《西厢记》

     Jin Shengtan on Reading
                  Romance of the Western Bower

《西厢记》原名《莺莺传》，又名《会真记》，是元代著名戏曲作家王实甫的杰作，也是元杂剧中最优美宏伟的大型喜剧。它在中国文学史上和中国戏曲史上都占有很重要地位，是我国古代戏曲发展高峰之一。自传世以来，版本众多，流传甚广，曾被历代统治者一再列为禁毁之列，但其结果却千百倍畅销，到明代更是大行其道，刻本之多，评家如云，叹为观止。
            

 《西厢记》必须扫地读之。 扫地读之者，不得存一点尘于胸中。

Reading Romance of the Western Bower, one must sweep the floor (first). The reason for sweeping the floor is that one must not cherish even one bit of dirt in one’s mind.
                      

《西厢记》必须焚香读之。焚香读之者，致其恭敬，以期鬼神之通之也。

Reading Romance of the Western Bower, one must burn incense. The reason for burnning incense is to show respect so that one can be in communion with ghosts and spirits.
            

《西厢记》必须对雪读之。对雪读之者，资其洁清也。

Reading Romance of the Western Bower, one must sit in front of snow. The reason for doing this is that snow will enhance the book’s purity and cleanness.
                          

《西厢记》必须对花读之。对花读之者，助其娟丽也。

Reading Romance of the Western Bower, one must sit in front of a flower. The reason for doing this is that the flower will increase the book’s gracefulness and beauty.
            

《西厢记》必须与美人并坐读之。与美人并坐读之者，验其缠绵多情也。

Reading Romance of the Western Bower, one must sit side by side with a beautiful lady. The reason for doing this is to experience the book’s moving sentiments.
                        

《西厢记》必须与道人对坐读之。与道人坐读之者，叹其解脱无方也。

Reading Romance of the Western Bower, one must sit in front of a Taoist priest.The reason for for doing this is to sigh over the fact that there is no way of escape (from the toils of love)