The Social Circulation of Poetry in the Mid-Northern Song: Emotional Energy and Literati Self-Cultivation (S U N Y Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture)

Observing that the vast majority of surviving Northern Song poems are directly addressed to other people, Colin S. C. Hawes explores how literati of China's mid-Northern Song period developed a social and therapeutic tradition in poetry. These social poems, produced in group settings and exchanged with friends and acquaintances, are often lighthearted in tone and full of witty banter and wordplay. Hawes challenges previous scholars'dismissal of these poems as trivial and insignificant because they lacked serious political and moral content by arguing that the central function of poetry at the time was to release pent-up emotions and share them with others in a socially acceptable manner—what Hawes views as circulating emotional energy or qi.Focusing on the circle of poets around Ouyang Xiu (1007–72 CE) and Mei Yaochen (1002–60 CE), the most influential literary figures of the mid-Northern Song period and the creators of a distinctive Song poetic style, Hawes provides a number of translations of poems of the period. Several major functions of poetic composition are discussed, including poetry as a game, as therapy, as a means of building relationships, and as a way of finding solace in history and in the natural world. Ultimately, the Northern Song attitude toward poetic composition spread throughout Chinese society. Observing That The Vast Majority Of Surviving Northern Song Poems Are Directly Addressed To Other People, Colin S.c. Hawes Explores How Literati Of China's Mid-northern Song Period Developed A Social And Therapeutic Tradition In Poetry. These Social Poems, Produced In Group Settings And Exchanged With Friends And Acquaintances, Are Often Lighthearted In Tone And Full Of Witty Banter And Wordplay. Hawes Challenges Previous Scholars' Dismissal Of These Poems As Trivial And Insignificant Because They Lacked Serious Political And Moral Content By Arguing That The Central Function Of Poetry At The Time Was To Release Pent-up Emotions And Share Them With Others In A Socially Acceptable Manner - What Hawes Views As Circulating Emotional Energy Or Qi. Focusing On The Circle Of Poets Around Ouyang Xiu (1007-72 Ce) And Mei Yaochen (1002-60 Ce), The Most Influential Literary Figures Of The Mid-northern Song Period And The Creators Of A Distinctive Song Poetic Style, Hawes Provides A Number Of Translations Of Poems Of The Period. Several Major Functions Of Poetic Composition Are Discussed, Including Poetry As A Game, As Therapy, As A Means Of Building Relationships, And As A Way Of Finding Solace In History And In The Natural World. Ultimately, The Northern Song Attitude Toward Poetic Composition Spread Throughout Chinese Society.--jacket. Poetry And Energy Circulation -- Poetry As Political And Social Criticism -- Poetry As A Game -- Poetry And Relationship Building -- Poetry As Therapy -- Poems Promoting Ancient Culture -- Poetry As Humanization Of Nature. Colin S.c. Hawes. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 203-209) And Index. The Social Circulation of Poetry in the Mid-Northern Song......Page 2 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction: Poetry and Energy Circulation......Page 12 1. Poetry as Political and Social Criticism......Page 22 2. Poetry as a Game......Page 42 3. Poetry and Relationship Building......Page 62 4. Poetry as Therapy......Page 90 5. Poems Promoting Ancient Culture......Page 118 6. Poetry as Humanization of Nature......Page 138 Conclusion......Page 164 INTRODUCTION......Page 168 CHAPTER ONE.......Page 169 CHAPTER TWO.......Page 175 CHAPTER THREE.......Page 182 CHAPTER FOUR.......Page 189 CHAPTER FIVE.......Page 196 CHAPTER SIX.......Page 203 CONCLUSION......Page 207 Glossary......Page 210 Bibliography......Page 214 H......Page 222 R......Page 223 Z......Page 224