Emperor Gaozu and the Literature of Western Han Dynasty

Emperor Gaozu exerted various influence on the literature of Western Han dynasty.As a special consumer of art,he had his own artistic recreational needs,which enhanced the nationwide spread of the highly recreational art of Chusheng.Thus such folk music as Chusheng and the dance of Bayu went into the court and attained their elegant artistic status.His religious and political artistic needs promoted the production of temple music and the flourish of the introspective literature at the beginning of Han dynasty.As a special producer,his creation of Chuge exerted a significant exemplary influence on the literature of Western Han dynasty.Therefore,under the ancient hierarchical social system,emperors with state power in their hands exerted great influence on literature and art.