Tang Poetry, Song Lyrics, Yuan Qu - Family Bookshelf

Author: Hongtang Tuishi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Tang Poetry, Song Ci, and Yuan Qu are the three towering peaks in the history of Chinese literature. The Tang Dynasty was the golden age of classical Chinese poetry, with "Tang Poetry" being the highest mark of Tang literature, marking a new era in the development of Chinese poetry. There were many authors of Tang poetry, the most renowned among them being Li Bai, Du Fu, and Bai Juyi. The themes of Tang poetry were very diverse: some reflected the class status and class contradictions of the society at that time, exposing the darkness of feudal society; some praised just wars and expressed patriotic sentiments; some depicted the beautiful landscapes of the motherland, expressing love for life. Its forms were also varied: classical poetry included five-character and seven-character styles; regulated poetry included quatrains and regulated poems, each further divided into five-character and seven-character styles. Classical poetry had relatively lenient requirements for rhyme and meter, while regulated poetry demanded stricter adherence. Modern readers of Tang poetry can appreciate its harmonious rhythms, concise language, and beautiful imagery, becoming utterly captivated by it.
Ci is a form of ancient Chinese poetry that originated in the Liang Dynasty, developed in the Tang Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Song Dynasty, hence the name "Song Ci." Song Ci is a dazzling gem on the crown of ancient Chinese literature, often paired with Tang poetry as the "Double Perfection." The most famous Song Ci poets include Su Dongpo, Liu Yong, and Li Qingzhao. Among them, Su Dongpo represented the bold and unrestrained style, developing Ci into an independent form of lyrical art. His themes included landscapes, rural scenery, leisurely pursuits, and patriotic aspirations. Liu Yong and Li Qingzhao, on the other hand, represented the elegant and refined style, with their works characterized by classical beauty and expressive subtlety. Ci is divided into sanqu (short Ci), zhongqu (medium Ci), and changqu (long Ci). A Ci poem may consist of a single stanza (danshuo), two stanzas (shuangshuo), or three or four stanzas (sandie or sishuo). Ci also has fixed tunes (cipai), such as "Liu Zhou Ge Tou," "Xi Ting Yue," and "Nian Nu Jiao." Some tunes are derived from ancient yuefu poetry, while others take characters from poems, are based on historical allusions, or are created by renowned poets.
Yuan Qu is another literary form that emerged after Tang Poetry and Song Ci, first flourishing in the northern regions, hence the name "Northern Qu." Compared to poetry and Ci, Yuan Qu has a more flexible form and better expresses emotions, but its popularity and legacy are far less widespread than those of Tang Poetry and Song Ci, making it relatively unfamiliar to many. Yuan Qu is roughly divided into two types: Yuan Zaju (operetta) and Yuan Sanqu (quasi-lyric poetry). Zaju is a form that combines songs, spoken dialogue, and dance. Sanqu is a type of poetry, including quanshu (sets) and xiaoshuo (single pieces). Quanshu consists of multiple pieces, while xiaoshuo contains only one piece. Guan Hanqing's "Dou E Yuan" represents the pinnacle of Zaju art, while Ma Zhenzhi wrote famous Sanqu pieces such as "Tian Jing Sha · Qiu Si."
In summary, Tang Poetry, Song Ci, and Yuan Qu are monumental works in the history of Chinese literature and essential reading for those who love Chinese literature. This book compiles the "Three Hundred Tang Poems" selected by Hongtang Tuishi, the "Three Hundred Song Ci" selected by Shangjiangcun Min, and the "Three Hundred Yuan Qu" selected by Ren Zhongmin, aiming to provide modern readers with a feast of classical literature.