Han Dynasty Poetry Fu

Of the three styles of Fu (descriptive prose interspersed with verse), studies are mainly focused on Saoti Fu (Fu of Li Sao style) and Prosaic Fu (a prose style free from parallelism, a direct prose style); to Poetic Fu (an intricate literary form combining elements of poetry and prose), very little attention was paid, except for few pieces of specific study of one or two works. However, according to an analysis to The Collected Rhymeprose of Han Dynasty edited by Fei Zhengang, which is the essential references for the research of rhyme prose of Han Dynasty because of the windiness in collecting, there are 20 pieces of the full version, which came out at a certain moment across 400 years of two Han Dynasties. Based on this fact, it is worth a comprehensive and thorough study on this issue. In this paper, attempts were made to highlight the thought value and artistic contribution of the Poetic Fu and its significance in literary history. The whole understanding of Fu will be emphasized as well. This paper contains 4 major parts as follows:PartⅠ: In order to clarify the target of this paper, the first work here is to differentiate and analyze the concept Poetic Fu. Opinions vary on the clarification of Han Fu. But, after a comprehensive review on this issue, we will find that to clarify based on the structure and style is more appropriate and practical than other ways. The structure and style of Poetic Fu is analyzed in this part.PartⅡ: This part involves an exploration of the origin and the development of the Poetic Fu. Generally speaking, people think that the Poetic Fu is mainly affected by Books of Songs , Chuci and Prose Writtings by Xun Zi. The author insists that Prose Writtings by Xun Zi has the greatest influence on the development of Han Fu.PartⅢ: This part centers on the content of Poetic Fu. On the basis of content, Han Fu is summarized into three major types: pieces to reason things out; pieces to glorify things; pieces to express emotion.PartⅣ: This part will deal with the artistic features of Poetic Fu. Three features highlight themselves: the poetic feature; the expatiation feature and the entertainment feature.