An Analysis of Yuan Sanqu's Reception of Xiang Yu's Image in Records of the Grand Historian
The Records of the Grand Historian:Biography of Xiang Y u crafts a highly captivating and influential heroic image of Xiang Yu,laying a historical foundation for the subsequent reception of his image. In the Yuan Dynasty,the reception of Xiang Yu's image by Sanqu poets revealed a subversive reconstruction that starkly contrasted with previous eras,characterized by a pervasive and negative tone of resistance. This distinct artistic tone and literary reception,divergent from earlier periods,were caused by multiple factors,including the cultural impact of dynasty ruler,the void in personal values brought about by political changes,and the loss of traditional beliefs due to disruptions in the imperial examination system. The void in personal values led Yuan Dynasty literati towards historical nihilism,thereby rejecting worldly values. Reclusion became the spiritual haven for Yuan literati in their quest for self-value reconstruction.
Records of the Grand HistorianYuan SanquXiang Yuliterary receptionYuan Dynasty