Reflections on the Extreme Choices made in The Orphan of Zhao

Reflections on the Extreme Choices made in The Orphan of Zhao
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In the play The Orphan of Zhao by Ji Junxiang of the Yuan, the main characters had made extreme choice to solve the moral dilemma that they faced. In this paper, two extreme choices made by the character will be examined to reflect about the characters morals and values, these choices are: the suicide of Zhao Shuo and Cheng Ying's sacrifice of his own child.
In the initial part of the play, the Zhao family was framed and were executed to atone for their alleged disloyalty and false linage, except for one, Zhao Shuo since he is the husband of the duke’s daughter. However, a messenger came to their household bearing a falsified document that orders Zhao Shuo to commit suicide. He used the short knife to end his life leaving behind the last remaining Zhao, his son, to be eventually orphaned (Ji Junxiang, trans. 2014, Wedge. 73-76). In Zhao Shou's morals, he committed suicide to both restore honor his clan's alleged disloyalty and to save time for his wife and child to escape the people that wants them dead. He both considered the past history of his clan and the future of his family when he decided to commit suicide, where someday, his child can avenge the injustices done to them.
In act one, Cheng Ying, was entrusted to keep the Zhao orphan safe; however, Tu'an Gu ordered to murder all of the newborn in the area...