On the Variation of Poetry from Han, Wei to Six Dynasties

The most outstanding characteristic of poetry from Han, Wei to Six Dynasties is its variation, which is of great significance in the history of Chinese poetry. The variation is displayed in four particular aspects: signed poems have become general; the status of poetry has fallen down; stress has been laid on creation of form; the transformation from lyrics to poetry has been realized. During this period of time, the style of poetry changed frequently and was full of personal color. Besides, the moralistic function weakened while the pursuit of aesthetics became vigorous. Such are all the reflections of variation. Orthodox criticisms of poetry used to regard poems of this period as a process of continuously deteriorating and Liang and Chen Dynasties as the lowest level of the history of poetry. This point of view still has some influence on ordinary readers. Hence, understanding the variation and characteristic of poetry from Han, Wei to Six Dynasties will help us improve our knowledge and ideas of the history of poetry.