The Critique of Poetry

Name: The Critique of Poetry
ISBN: 9787532595488

钟嵘Shanghai Classics Publishing House · ChinaDec 2016

4.4

Word count: 11K words
Chapters: 13
ISBN: 9787532595488

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Summary

The Critique of Poetry (Shi Pin) is a work of ancient Han Chinese poetic aesthetics by Zhong Rong, a literary critic of the Southern Dynasties. Appearing after Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, it is a famous work of literary criticism that grades and evaluates poetry, China's first monograph on five-character verse, and a product of the struggle against the formalist style of the Qi and Liang dynasties. Based on relevant materials, it was probably written between 502 and 513, the first to twelfth years of the Tianjian era under Emperor Wu of Liang.

Editor's review

Zhong Rong's Shi Pin is the first systematic work of poetics in the history of Chinese literary criticism, completed in the Liang dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, and ranks alongside Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons. Organized around gradings, it divides more than 120 poets from the Han to the Liang into three grades—upper, middle and lower—with incisive commentary, establishing an aesthetic tradition that judges poetry by flavor and values direct experience and natural excellence. This edition from Shanghai Classics Publishing House is known for its high-quality textual collation and detailed annotation, clearing away classical Chinese obstacles for modern readers. In the editor's view, the book's value goes far beyond a ranking of poets: it is a spiritual history bearing the character and aesthetic ideals of the Wei and Jin. Zhong Rong's respect for individual talent and lived experience, and his criticism of excessive allusion and rigid attention to tonal rules, still resonate today. For readers seeking a deep understanding of the origins of classical Chinese poetry and the essence of its critical paradigms, this edition of Shi Pin is a rare and reliable text.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Students of Chinese classical literary theory, especially the history of poetic criticism
Students and teachers of Chinese language and literature, as important course reference and academic resource
Deep enthusiasts of classical poetry who want a systematic understanding of the styles and achievements of Han, Wei and Six Dynasties poets
Writers or critics seeking nourishment from traditional literary theory to inspire modern thinking

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking only light entertainment or appreciation of modern poetry
Complete beginners unfamiliar with classical Chinese and unwilling to invest effort in overcoming the language barrier

Reading tips

Read the preface first to understand Zhong Rong's core poetics—'qi moves things, things move people'—before turning to the gradings.
Keep a copy of the Wen Xuan or relevant poets' collections at hand and compare with the original poems to better appreciate Zhong Rong's commentary.
Do not fixate on the rankings of the three grades; focus instead on the aesthetic standards and spirit of the age embodied in his remarks.

About the publisher

Shanghai Classics Publishing House China · Founded in 1956

Shanghai Classics Publishing House is a professional publisher centered on the collation of ancient texts and academic research works. Its publishing areas cover historical readings, classical poetry, folk literature, literary appreciation, canonical works, and Eastern philosophy. Its books include Chen Yinke's A Brief Discussion of the Origins of the Sui and Tang Institutions, Xin Qiji's Chronological Annotated Edition of Jiaxuan's Ci (Simplified Edition), Tang Xianzu's The Peony Pavilion, Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, as well as New Annotations to Three Hundred Tang Poems (Collector's Edition), Annotated Edition of Han Changli's Collected Works (Simplified Edition, 3 volumes), and Youyang Zazu. Its authors include Chen Yinke, Xin Qiji, Tang Xianzu, Liu Xie, Deng Guangming, Hengtang Tuishi, Han Yu, and Ma Qichang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the house emphasizes collation, annotation, and compilation of ancient texts alongside academic research works, and continues to issue simplified and collector's editions that balance scholarship and accessibility. Public information about the publisher's fuller publishing profile is limited.

版权信息
目录
公版书总序
奇风丹采谐雅韵，妙理远意评贬褒——钟嵘
荡感气物犹照烛，万千晖丽酿为诗——《诗品》
正文
诗品序
诗品上
诗品中
诗品下
如是我闻
一、六朝文学概况
二、著名诗歌理论著作

FAQ

Shi Pin places Tao Yuanming in the middle grade and Cao Cao in the lower grade. Is this evaluation fair?

This is the most debated aspect of Shi Pin and reflects the aesthetic tastes of Zhong Rong's time (valuing rhetorical polish and allusion). Read it as a window into Southern Dynasties literary fashion and an understanding of its historical limitations, not as absolute judgment. Later generations judged Tao and Cao very differently.

What are the main differences between this book and The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons?

The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons is a grand, comprehensive theoretical system of writing covering genres, creation and criticism. Shi Pin deals exclusively with five-character verse, uses a person-by-person evaluative format, and focuses more on distinguishing individual styles and ranking poets—more intuitive and more focused.

How are the annotations and translation in this edition?

The Shanghai Classics Publishing House edition is known for academic rigor, with detailed annotations that clarify meaning and trace sources, plus precise textual collation. It provides a solid foundation for academic research, but it is not a word-for-word vernacular translation; readers need some ability to read classical Chinese.

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About the author

钟嵘 Author

Zhong Rong was an important critic of poetry and prose in ancient China. Public information about his life is limited, and neither the exact years of his birth and death nor his native place is clearly recorded. Judging from the works that survive, he is known for poetry criticism and poetic theory. Seven related works are held in this collection, including several editions of Shipin, as well as annotated and translated editions such as Wenfu Shipin Yizhu and Shipin (Chinese Classic Poetry Talks). Shipin is his representative work and an important treatise in the history of Chinese literary criticism, evaluating poets and exploring the origins and styles of poetry; it has had a profound influence on later poetics. His writing is characterized by ranking poets, tracing their sources and analyzing their styles, with concise language and clear judgments. His works are often classified under literary appreciation, ancient poetry, and literature. Because historical sources are limited, no speculation is made about his specific experiences or official career; readers may consult the editions and translations mentioned above to understand his poetic views.