Light Sips and Soft Melodies: The Cultural Spirit and Life Interests of Song Dynasty Poets

Author: Zhang Yupu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: The book analyzes the background of the cultural spirit of Song Dynasty lyric poets and states: One of the fundamental national policies of the Song Dynasty was to promote culture and suppress martial arts. The Song Dynasty was a feudal dynasty with a mature civil service system, highly developed culture, and unprecedentedly strengthened autocratic rule and centralization. Coupled with the increasing influence of Neo-Confucianism, Song Dynasty lyric poets were able to focus on inner cultivation, bravely shoulder social responsibilities, and also boldly pursue personal freedom and independent personality. They could also indulge in the pleasures of sight and sound, enjoying leisure and contentment. In times of national crisis, they could shed blood on the battlefield, singing of "golden swords and horses," while in a world of paper and gold, they could lean on red lips and green sleeves, sipping lightly and singing softly. The successful analysis of the dual personality of Song Dynasty lyric poets—both contradictory and unified—as well as its connotations in Light Sips and Soft Songs is undoubtedly a highlight in contemporary Song Ci research.