Three Hundred Yuan Qu (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Li Miao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Exquisite illustrations and lyrical verses. Yuanqu is not a single genre; it includes both zaju (a form of drama) and sanqu (a poetic form). As a poetic form alongside Tang poetry and Song ci, Yuanqu primarily refers to sanqu. In terms of content, most Yuan sanqu authors were Han intellectuals. Under the dark political climate and perilous official career paths, their verses often expressed themes of "lamenting the world" and "retiring to seclusion." In artistic expression, sanqu allows for the use of both level and oblique tones in rhymes, avoids avoiding repeated rhymes, can add supplementary characters, and even adjust the number of characters. This greatly breaks free from the constraints of fixed forms, enabling more freedom in expressing emotions. Another important artistic feature of Yuanqu is the extensive use of colloquial language, which gives the works a regional color and local flavor, making them lively, fresh, and distinctive.