Poetry of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: Poetic Theory and Practice in the Ming and Qing

The Ming, and especially the Qing, witnessed the unprecedented spread of writing poetry among literate men and women in the history of imperial China. This episode introduces the influential theories of poets, such as Yuan Mei’s “native sensibility” (xingling), which promoted naturalness and personal expression over formal learning and ethical concerns, thus encouraging the common practice of poetry.      Guest Host: Prof. Grace Fong