Research on Xu Xueyis Style-distinguishing Criticism on Ming Dynasty Poetry

Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, disagreements abound concerning the value of Ming Dynasty Poetry. Xu Xueyi's understanding of the overall achievements of Ming Dynasty poetry and his style-distinguishing criticism on the various poets of the Dynasty are of great value for us to have an objective evaluation of Ming Dynasty poetry. Xu thinks that although the overall achievements of Ming Dynasty poetry were not comparable to the preceding dynasties, it does not mean that no poems in the Ming Dynasty were as good as those of the Dang poets. The highest achievements of Ming poems fall in the styles of Gexing and Qilu. Gao Qi and Yang Shiqi of the early Ming Dynasty were good at Wuyan classical-styles poetry and had no match in the mid and late Ming Dynasty. Although there were great masters of Gexing style poetry in every period, Li Mengyang and Gao Qi occupied the highest place in terms of achievement. The Qilu style became more mature in the mid and late Ming Dynasty with He Jingming being the top achiever in this respect . The style became more magnificent in the Jiajing period but lacked creativity.