Abstract

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Title:: Discussion of Poem·Zhou Nano·Guan Ju from “metaphor desire to etiquette” to “virtues of couple”

Author(s):: WANG Guo-yu; Dapartment of Social Sciences, Zhejiang University of Media and Communications, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China

Keywords:: Guan Ju; “metaphor desire to etiquette”; “virtues of couple”; Confucius poetics; poetics school

Abstract:: The interpretation of the theme of Poem·Zhou Nan·Guan ju has always been different from the preQin Dynasty: early Confucianism comments the theme of Guan Ju to inform people of proper etiquette through poetry with reference to the theme of desire from the perspective of the relationship between emotion and ritual. Han Confucianism thinks that Guan Ju embodies the “virtue of empress and concubine” and has the enlightenment of exemplary significance to teach the world and correct the couples ways.This paper links up the Confucius poetics and Five elements to comparatively analyze the historical relevant discussion.The results show that on the subject of Guan Ju, the comments of the early Confucianism and the Han Confucianism seem to be quite different. In fact, they are inherently consistent: informing people of proper etiquette through poetry with reference to the theme of desire affirms the virtues of couple for the ethical sense, which is the sublimation and norms of men and women love for the life sense. Han Confucianism affirms political and religious significance of Guan Ju on the concept of teaching the world and correcting the couples ways, which is not only consistent with the couple ethical concept in early Confucianism, but also derives from the same origin with the view of poetry in early Confucianism. Appropriate understanding of Guan Ju can effectively interpret its implication of the ritual education and the virtues.