traditional china(the analects and the book of songs)

The Analects and the Book of Songs

Introduction

Confucius influenced the moral fabric of the Chinese society and other countries in Asia as well . He did not establish a religion but rather philosophical system that dealt with matters regarding morality and the notion of right and wrong in the Chinese society . According to Chinese tradition , it was Confucius who created 3000 poems and songs to create the Book of Songs . Yet , of these poems , only 305 remains and these are taken as representative of the thinking of Confucius and his followers

in China , especially in the Zhou and Shang periods

This collection of poems has been widely read and consulted as scripture until the twentieth century . The date of composition of the songs is between the twelfth and seventh century BC . Although the Book was banned in third century BC , it was passed on through generations of Chinese as part of oral history and it was restored during the reign of the Han Dynasty

The poems contained in the Book of Songs are considered as a romantic representation of the state of events during part of history of China where they flourished . By looking at the poems contained in the Book of Songs , important insights can be garnered about the social situation and the oral tradition during the time that these poems were written

There are instance , however that the poems in the Book of Songs appear to present a view that seems to be incompatible with the way that Confucius idealized the past . This seeks to analyze several themes in the Book of Songs and in the Analects of Confucius to look into this apparent contradiction in Confucius ' meaning and his idealization of the Chinese society

In to provide focus to this , the analysis of such themes and ideas will focus on the first two parts of the Book of Songs , but more so on the first section as it talks about folk life in China and it would be in this section where the apparent contradictions will surface .The Book of Songs

The collection of poems in the Book of Songs may be divided into four sections . The first one is about Folk Songs , which emphasizes the life of folks in various geographical areas of China . These songs also idealize and romanticize the countryside life of China

The Elegantiae is the second part of the Book and this section talks about celebrations , particularly those that can be recited at banquets and feasts in China . They also show certain features of early Chinese society , but this time , it touches upon the aristocracy and their standing in the Chinese society

The approach of the third part of the Book of Songs is more heroic and epic because it talks about the early history of the Zhou Dynasty Because it is dedicated to the heroic , oftentimes , there are elements of poetry that b on the fantastic and unbelievable

The last part of the Book is about the hymns...