As the Classical Chinese Literary Criticism encountered the period of development in Song Dynasty, diverse poetics has been developed through a new genre called Poetry Talks. One of the most representative as well as crucial concepts in poetics of Son...
As the Classical Chinese Literary Criticism encountered the period of development in Song Dynasty, diverse poetics has been developed through a new genre called Poetry Talks. One of the most representative as well as crucial concepts in poetics of Song Dynasty is the Theory of Poetic Taste. The Theory of Poetic Taste, a unique theory about poetry originated from the traditional food culture of China, has been continuously evolved from the period of Pre-Qin to Qing Dynasty. According to the history of the Theory of Poetic Taste, the period from Pre-Qin to Jin-Song Dynasties is a germinal stage, from Qi-Liang to Tang Dynasty is the formative period, and finally in the Song Dynasty it has welcomed the golden age. In Song Dynasty it has been more universalized to discuss poetry and prose by means of taste. The study of the Theory of Poetic Taste is necessary to thoroughly comprehend the poetry and the poetics of Song Dynasty.
The purpose of this study 'The Study of Background and Distinction of the Theory of Poetic Taste in Song Dynasty' is to examine the formation and development of the Theory of Poetic Taste, the core of the poetics of Song Dynasty. The followings are the contents of this study.
1. The birth and development of the Theory of Poetic Taste of China
As a prerequisite to study the Theory of Poetic Taste, various opinions of previous poets and critics were explored. The history of the Theory of Poetic Taste in the period prior to Song Dynasty was divided (1) a germinal stage of Theory of Poetic Taste, (2) the formative period of Theory of Poetic Taste, and the characteristics of the ideas and theories of Lu Ji, Liu Xie, Zhong Rong, Sikong Tu etc. were viewed.
2. The background of Theory of Poetic Taste in Song Dynasty
In relation to the background of the dramatic growth of Theory of Poetic Taste in Song Dynasty (1) the influence of critical writings about the Theory of Poetic Taste in the period prior to Song Dynasty, (2) relations between Theory of Poetic Taste and the effects of culture and academic ideas of Song Dynasty were discussed.
3. The development of Theory of Poetic Taste in Song Dynasty
Concerning the vital theories of poetic taste in poetics of Song Dynasty, theories and characteristics of significant poets and critics were surveyed.
(1) Mei Yaochen and Ou Yangxiu, (2) Wei Tai, (3) Su Shi, (4) Zhang Jie, (5) Yang Wanli, (6) Etc.
4. The characteristics of Theory of Poetic Taste in Song Dynasty
The characteristics of Theory of Poetic Taste in Song Dynasty were studied by extracting the most widely discussed subjects out of the synthesis of various ideas about poetic taste. The contents consist of (1) the traits and characteristics of poetic taste, (2) creation of poetic taste, (3) appreciation of poetic taste, (4) aesthetic ideal of poetic taste and representative models, (5) Theory of Poetic Taste and the character of the age, etc.
5. The significance and influence on posterity of Theory of Poetic Taste in Song Dynasty
In Song Dynasty, Theory of Poetic Taste became the essential concept of poetics, which numerous poets took a growing interest. Theory of Poetic Taste has a close relation to essentialism and let poetry to be distinctive from prose. In addition, it was regarded as a main factor not only in the creation but also in the evaluation of poetry as it became one of the vital elements which constitute poetry. Some terms related to the new expression of taste appeared as taste became a more complicated concept. Pingdan style was suggested as an idealistic style of poetic taste and Tao Yuanming was newly appreciated as an ideal poet.
The Theory of Poetic Taste of Song Dynasty inherited Six Dynasties and Tang Dynasty, and had a direct influence on Yuan Dynasty. In view of overall history of Theory of Poetic Taste, Song Dynasty belongs to the period of developments of Theory of Poetic Taste and reveals totally new features and achievements.