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Types of Subjects and Value of Guyi Poetry in the Southern Dynasties

Zhao Xiaohua   

  1. the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Peking University
  • Online:2018-03-25 Published:2018-10-19
  • About author:Zhao Xiaohua, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Peking University, with research interest in classical poetry from the Han to the Tang dynasty.

Abstract: Guyi Poetry in the Southern dynasties focused on the subjects of lovesick women, enlistment and expression of ideals, all of which were typical in Han-Wei poetry. This was why poets named them guyi. The choice of subject matters in such poetry reflected the change of the archaistic tradition. Meanwhile, the change of titles in poetry anthologies pointed out poets' motivation to express contemporary emotions with ancient subjects, which was different from palace poetry that emphasized sensuality. Moreover, although some guyi poems adopted traditional skills of expression, they were simultaneously influenced by contemporary poetry. Guyi poetry's types of subjects and skills of expression had both ancient and contemporary features. Overall, they had positive meanings to renew Han-Wei poetry in the Southern dynasties.

Key words: the Southern dynasties, guyi poetry, lovesick women, enlistment, archaism, contemporary style