Selected and Commented Yuan Qu

Author: Deng Shaoji (Selected and Translated/Commented)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The emergence and prosperity of Yuanqu (qu Yuan opera) mark another significant flourishing of heterogeneous-meter poetry following the Song Dynasty's Ci poetry, holding an important position in the history of Chinese poetry. China is a land of poetry, with a long history of poetic creation. From the perspective of poetic forms, there was originally a distinction between homogeneous-meter and heterogeneous-meter poetry. Before the mid-Tang Dynasty, the initial forms were the Book of Songs, Yuefu (ancient Chinese lyrical poetry), and regulated verse, with line structures evolving from four-character to five-character to seven-character forms, representing the main path of poetic form transformation. Heterogeneous-meter poetry also emerged and developed but never achieved a dominant position. After the mid-Tang Dynasty, as the form of heterogeneous-meter poetry (long-short sentences), Ci (lyric poetry) began to appear and gradually flourished, eventually forming a major tradition by the Song Dynasty—a significant event in the history of Chinese literature. If the Tang people created and perfected homogeneous-meter forms such as seven-character ancient verse and five-seven-character regulated verse (quatrain and regulated verse), making outstanding contributions, the Song people made equally outstanding contributions by creating and completing the heterogeneous-meter form of Ci (long-short sentences). This series selects the most brilliant essence from the vast body of Chinese literature and history works. Not only are these works exceptionally literary, but they also represent the intellectual forefront of their respective eras. A group of renowned scholars from one of China's most authoritative academic institutions—the Institute of Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences—have immersed themselves in these classics, carefully distilling their essence and applying their expertise to provide insightful annotations, explanations, and critiques, guiding readers into a higher and broader realm of literary and historical study. Yuanqu has its own unique system and stylistic characteristics. The selections in this book represent the finest chapters of Yuanqu, with concise and precise interpretations, making it an excellent introductory reading for those interested in this literary genre.