Twenty Lectures on Song Ci

Author: Min Zeping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The lyrical nature of Song Ci poetry is the result of a combination of various factors. First, it is related to the lyrical characteristics of the Yanyue tunes on which Song Ci poetry is based. Second, it is connected to the creative environment, consumption characteristics, and dissemination methods of Song Ci poetry. The original purpose of composing Ci poetry was to accompany songs, and its dissemination and consumption were primarily achieved through singing performances by courtesans and dancers in song and dance halls, at banquets and wine parties, and among flowers and moonlight. This determined that the content and themes of Ci poetry, in its expression, could not be like traditional poetry and prose, which aimed to "express aspirations," "convey moral principles," "serve the times," or "address specific events." Instead, it inevitably chose and tended to express "emotional matters" that aligned with this consumption characteristic, thereby enhancing its lyrical quality. This book provides a detailed explanation of Song Ci poetry, presented in an accessible and engaging manner, with stunning illustrations.