Chinese Knight-Errant

This book, first published in 1967, is a comprehensive study of knight-errantry in Chinese history and literature from the fourth century BC to the twentieth century. After discussing the social and intellectual backgrounds of knight-errantry, it gives examples of historical knights and describes the development of the theme of knight-errantry in poetry, fiction and drama. Many biographies, anecdotes, poems and tales are translated in full, while long prose romances and dramatic works are summarized and discussed. As background to these, sketches of the developments of Chinese fiction and drama are provided. In a final chapter, comparisons are made between Chinese and European knights, and between Chinese and Western chivalric literature.

List of contents

1. The Historical Knight-Errant  2. The Knight-Errant in Poetry  3. From Fact to Fiction  4. The Knight-Errant in the Theatre  5. Some Conclusions and Comparisons

About the author

James J.Y. Liu

Summary

This book, first published in 1967, is a comprehensive study of knight-errantry in Chinese history and literature from the fourth century BC to the twentieth century. After discussing the social and intellectual backgrounds of knight-errantry, it gives examples of historical knights and describes the development of the theme of knight-errantry in poetry, fiction and drama. Many biographies, anecdotes, poems and tales are translated in full, while long prose romances and dramatic works are summarized and discussed. As background to these, sketches of the developments of Chinese fiction and drama are provided. In a final chapter, comparisons are made between Chinese and European knights, and between Chinese and Western chivalric literature.

Product details

• Authors: James J. Y. Liu, James J.y. Liu
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.05.2022
• EAN: 9781032257792
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3225779-2
• No. of pages: 254
• Series: Routledge Library Editions: Chinese Literature and Arts
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; POETRY / General, Poetry, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies, Society & culture: general, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, Society and culture: general, Poetry / Poems