Three Hundred Yuan Qu Poems

Author: An Shengchuan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-10-01
Features: Following the prosperity of Tang poetry and Song Ci, Yuan Qu (quyi) has its unique charm. On one hand, Yuan Qu inherits the elegance and subtlety of poetry and Ci. On the other hand, the Yuan Dynasty society placed scholars in the lowly position of "eight courtesans, nine Confucian scholars, and ten beggars," with political tyranny and a dark society. As a result, Yuan Qu radiated a brilliant and militant brilliance, revealing a spirit of rebellion. It pointed directly at social flaws, condemning the society where "those who cannot read are considered noble, those who cannot write are good, and those who lack sense are praised for their charm," and targeting the prevailing mindset of "everyone despises poverty, who does not see money as dear." The works of Yuan Qu depicting love are also more bold and daring than those of poetry and Ci in previous dynasties. All of these contribute to the enduring artistic appeal of Yuan Qu. However, in comparison, the popularity of Yuan Qu has never reached the level of Tang poetry and Song Ci. This is partly because people are unfamiliar with its form, so we provide a brief introduction here. Yuan Qu is divided into Zaju (operas) and Sanqu (lyric songs). Sanqu is further categorized into quanshu (sets), xiaoling (short pieces), and daigu (overlapping pieces). This book includes the works of sixty-seven Yuan Qu masters and anonymous Sanqu. For the first time, Sanqu has a widely accessible anthology that reflects the essence of Yuan Dynasty Sanqu. Since the 1980s, this anthology has been widely published and distributed, gaining high popularity. In this edition, the order of the selected quyi follows the arrangement by Mr. Ren and Mr. Lu, supplemented with author biographies, prefaces, and annotations. The prefaces are interpretive in nature, while the annotations are kept simple and clear, aiming to help young readers understand the works without reference materials and appreciate their ideological and artistic essence. Additionally, an appendix at the end of the book includes famous lines from the selected Sanqu, major versions of Yuan Sanqu, and research works, to facilitate readers' study and research.
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