Study On The Thoughts Of Zhang Yan'Ci Poetry

Ciyuan compiled by Zhang Yan was one of the most important literatures on Ci poetry in the history of Ci criticism, and the conclusion of the thoughts in Ci poetry during South and North Song dynasties, which affected intensely the development of Ci poetry afterwards. A long period of time was experienced from the generation to the mature of Ci poetry. In Song dynasty the variation and divergence of opinions on Ci poetry appeared. Li Qing-Zhao et. al. insisted on the distinctive character of Ci poetry, while Su Shi innovated Ci poetry and upheld "taking Ci poetry as poem". The two different understandings such as "Ben se shuo" and "Lei shi shuo" were the focus of arguments by Ci composers. In this thesis we thought that Ci Yuan succeeded to and criticized the two doctrines respectively, cleared the prejudices on Ci poetry. Zhang Yan achieved mastery through a comprehensive study of the Ci poetry, which produced great influence on the thoughts of Ci poetry critics. In details, this thesis consists of following parts:1. Introduction. In this part I have narrated the origin of "Ben se shuo" and "Lei shi shuo". Chen Shi-Dao reviewed the Ci poetry by Su Shi, and said "Zi Chan took poems as Ci poetry ", which excited the arguments on the two doctrines, "Ben se shuo" and "Lei shi shuo".2. The origins and evolution threads of "Ben se shuo" and "Lei shi shuo". The origins and evolution threads of the two doctrines have been illustrated in this part. Ci poetry as a kind of music literature was born in banquet, developed during Xi Shu, South Tang, as well as Song dynasties, and formed the characterizations such as "graceful and restrained". Su Shi dissatisfied the infertility of Ci circle so innovated it, expanding the expression form of Ci poetry, and improving the quality of Ci poetry. However, his reasonless attitude on the tonality of Ci poetry was opposed by "Ben se shuo" Ci composers, among which Li Qing-Zhao was one of the representatives. After southward movement, historical disasters brought the chance for "Lei shi shuo" Ci composers of Xin school to step onto the Ci circle, nevertheless, the works of some Ci composers were too. It stirred up the satisfaction of "Ben si shuo" Ci composers. The Ci composers of the two schools upheld their own opinions and disputed endlessly.3. The succession to and conclusion on "Lei shi shuo" and "Ben se shuo" of Zhang Yan' Ciyuan. Zhang Yan held that both "Ben se shuo" and "Lei shi shuo" could not represent the original characterizations of Ci forms in art style and thought connotations. He succeeded to the two doctrines on the premise of maintaining the instinctive characterizations of Ci forms and trying to improve it. Firstly, on tonality he not only agreed to the demands for Ci poetry conforming to tonality as "Ben se shuo",but also furthered the theoretical opinions of Li Qing-zhao et. al. on Ci poetry. Ciyuan discussed on tonality in more than half article, reflecting his emphasis on tonality. On contents Zhang Yan succeeded to the demands of "Ben se shuo", holding that tender feeling and lovesickness could be expressed in poetry.Secondly, on the succession to and abandonment of "Lei shi shuo" Zhang Yan put forward criticism standards for "Li sao". He appreciated the style in Jiang Ci poetry that not only was concentrated on the gist of complexity, but also expressed implicitly in temperate and refined, fair and peaceful ways. Zhang Yan held that the conception of Ci poetry should be concerned with major issues in the world. In his poetry works there were suffused with agony of national subjugation and family loss, sorrow as experienced by brass camel which was covered by thorns. It can be said that Zhang Yan accepted the content in "Lei shi shuo" that required Ci poetry to state aspiration, at the same time he introduced poem education into Ci criticism, standardized the poetry expressing this kind of sentiments, claimed art of entrustment and figure of speech, asked to inherit traditional "fragrant grass and beauty", insisting on mild and roundabout, t...