Pre-modern Chinese Literature through the end of the Ming Dynasty Telmar L 17:01, 4 December 2012 (UTC)

"Du-Fu Poetry" Click here for original source.

Chinese Literature is well prefaced by the traditional myths and legends that have been passed down from many generations. Some of these legends illustrate the beginnings of the world and the formation of mankind. Not unlike the westerner's familiarity with The Bible which details it's own version of the origins of mankind, the mythology talks of Pan Gu who came before the Earth was created and later became a part of the earth. The legend talks about Nuwa the Goddess that created humankind from clay. Even the details of the early myths are referenced in later works of authors and poets to the present day.

Pre-Qin Literature

Book of Songs: The book of songs is also known as the Shi Ching It contains 4 different types of works including Airs, Minor Odes, Major Odes, and Dynastic Songs. Often the poetry contains four lines of four syllables and makes references to the nature in people or their agrarian culture. Some of these poems are as old as 1000 BCE.

Songs of Chu: This poetry is mainly in reference to the work of Poet Qu Yuan. The poetry is localized originally to the Hunan Hubei provinces with the specific usage of that region's phonology contained in the poetry. his poetry is also called the The Elegies of Chu. The poetry was influenced by the Warring States period which was concurrent with this author's works.

Literature of the Han Dynasty

Yue Fu: Literally means Music Bureau or the collections of lyrics specifically for songs and poems used for royal purposes whether commissioned or for use in the palace. Different melodies could be applied to these lyrics and many were altered throughout time.

Jian'an: At the end of the Han dynasty, during a a time of social difficulty many writer such as The Three Cao's, Cai Yan, and The Seven Scholar's of Jian 'an wrote poetry reflecting the sentiments of the time. Most of the works are five-character verses. The poetry was more prose-like than trying to portray the situations as they were occurring literally.

Landscape Poetry

This poetry as it is easily interpreted; dealt with the expressions of landscape and nature surrounding the people. Glorifying the natural beauty that existed and still exists in China and it's surrounding regions today. One such prolific poet was Xie Lingyun whose poetry of mountains and streams made up a large genre of landscape poetry. "Xie Lingyun"

Click [1]here for original source.

Literature of the Tang Dynasty

Also known as the Golden Age of Chinese Poetry, Many of these poems were required to memorized for civil examinations in which poems were selected to be given an original interpretation. A book entitled Three Hundred Tang Poems is still standard poetry in China today. There were two prominent Chinese poets in the Tang Dynasty.

Du Fu: Wrote many five character verses,and was disturbed by the An Lushan Rebellion which occurred during his lifetime and influenced his poetry.

"Du-Fu" Click [2]here for original source.

Li Bai: Was part of a prestigious group of eight Chinese scholars. He traveled much in his life and much of his poetry was written while drunk with wine.

Literature of the Song Dynasty

Was flexible verse that was applied to the many changing folk tunes of the times.The songs were patriotic or rich in their description of nature like the Tang Dynasty Poems. Some poets of the time were Su Shi, Li Qingzhao, and Fan Zhongyan.

Literature of the Yuan Dynasty

Wang Shifu: Born in what is known as modern day Beijing, he was the leading dramatist of the Yuan Dynasty.NOt only one leading Role in his plays was given a singing part but all of the characters involved. this is exemplified in his play The Story of the Western Wing, also published as The Romance of the Western Chamber

Literature of the Ming Dynasty

Journey to the West: Famous literature of the Ming Dynasty is not mentioned without the epic tale of the Journey to the West. This piece of literature continues to be released in various forms and purposes and is one of the most popular references to be seen in advertising in the current media.

"Journey to the West" Click [3] here for original source.

Its main character is a monkey named Sun Wukong who learns the mysteries of mortality and even "magical skills" on his journey. He leads and army and defeats the Eastern Dragon King which thereby releases his his fellow band of monkey from the endless cycle of death and rebirth. In his story he steals many precious items, upsets many gods and is eventually trapped by Buddha. Tan San Zang is the subject of the next section and the story continues to illustrate his pilgrimage to the Western Heaven. In the third section San Wukong and Tan San Zang are united with the introduction of some new characters who each add an interesting dynamic on their journey to the Western Heaven which they complete and ultimately attain Buddhahood.

Powerpoint presentation

File:Premodern chinese lit.pptx

Pre-modern Chinese Literature through the end of the Ming Dynasty

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