"300 Yuan Qu Poems (China Family Basic Collection. Comprehensive Selection Volume)"

Author: Ren Ne, selected and edited by Lu Qian, annotated by He Qiaosuo
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: Following the flourishing poetry of the Tang Dynasty and the ci poetry of the Song Dynasty, the Yuan qu (qu lyrics) emerged as a literary masterpiece with its unique charm. On one hand, Yuan qu inherited the elegance and subtlety of traditional poetry and ci; on one hand, the social conditions of the Yuan Dynasty placed scholars in the lowly position of "eight courtesans, nine Confucian scholars, and ten beggars," with authoritarian politics and a dark society. As a result, Yuan qu radiated a dazzling and militant brilliance, revealing a spirit of rebellion. It directly pointed out social flaws, condemning the notion that "those who cannot read are considered high, those who cannot write are deemed good, and those who lack sense are praised for their charm." It also exposed the prevailing social of "everyone despises poverty, yet who does not chase wealth?" The portrayal of love in Yuan qu was also more bold and daring than in the poetry and ci of past dynasties. All of these qualities have ensured the enduring artistic appeal of Yuan qu. However, compared to the widespread popularity of Tang poetry and Song ci, the dissemination of Yuan qu is far less extensive. This is largely due to the unfamiliarity of its form to the general public, which is why we provide a brief introduction here. Yuan qu is divided into zaju (dramatic qu) and sanqu (lyric qu). Sanqu is further categorized into quanshu (sets), xiaoling (short qu), and daigu (overqu). This book includes the qu of sixty-seven Yuan Dynasty qu poets, as well as anonymous sanqu. For the first time, anonymous sanqu have a comprehensive and widely accessible anthology that represents the essence of Yuan Dynasty sanqu. By the 1980s, this anthology gained widespread popularity and high recognition. In this edition, the qu are arranged according to the order selected by Ren and Lu, accompanied by author biographies, prefaces, and annotations. The prefaces offer appreciative insights, while the annotations are designed to be clear and accessible, ensuring that young readers can understand the text without reference materials and appreciate its ideological and artistic depth. Additionally, an appendix at the end of the book includes famous lines from the selected qu, major editions of Yuan qu and sanqu, and research works, all to facilitate readers' study and research.