fates of chinese heroes division in chinese history created opportunities for some people to become...
Post on 19-Dec-2015
219 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Fates of Chinese HeroesFates of Chinese Heroes
• Division in Chinese history created Division in Chinese history created opportunities for some people to become opportunities for some people to become heroesheroes
• Few heroes, however, enjoyed lasted long in Few heroes, however, enjoyed lasted long in their professional careerstheir professional careers• Most of them died a tragic, violent, and unheroic Most of them died a tragic, violent, and unheroic
deathdeath•
Military Heroes: Lord Guan and Yue Fei
Lord Guan
Images of Lord Guan
Guan Yu in RTKGuan Yu in RTK• A man of imposing looks and martial statureA man of imposing looks and martial stature• Has long and beautiful beard and a might swordHas long and beautiful beard and a might sword• Demonstrates surpassing bravery and extreme Demonstrates surpassing bravery and extreme
nobilitynobility• Often acts in his sheer ignorance of policy, showing Often acts in his sheer ignorance of policy, showing
childish vanity and unbearable conceitchildish vanity and unbearable conceit• Believes in his sagacity, prowess and invincibility, Believes in his sagacity, prowess and invincibility,
• A haughty warrior deficient in generalshipA haughty warrior deficient in generalship• His conceit eventually brings about his downfall—His conceit eventually brings about his downfall—
dies a shattered idoldies a shattered idol
Yue Fei National hero and
symbol of patriotism Worshiped as military
god equal to, although not as popular as, Lord Guan
Temple in Hangzhou remains one of the most popular temples built to honor a tragic hero and fierce warrior
Yue Fei’s tomb
Yue Fei, by Liu Songnian, Southern Song
His military genius was well-known; so was the prestige of his well-trained and highly disciplined armies
Combat the threat from the NorthCombat the threat from the North
• Southern Song court debated over the issue Southern Song court debated over the issue of restoration of the lost land—reunification of of restoration of the lost land—reunification of ChinaChina• The “war or peace” debate resulted in factionalismThe “war or peace” debate resulted in factionalism
• Yue Fei was one of the “right wing” Yue Fei was one of the “right wing” generals/warriors who advocated war with the generals/warriors who advocated war with the JurchenJurchen• ““give us back our rivers and mountains”give us back our rivers and mountains”• Legends said that his mother had tattooed on his Legends said that his mother had tattooed on his
back “jinzhon baoguo”—”exhaust all your loyalty in back “jinzhon baoguo”—”exhaust all your loyalty in repaying your debt to the ruling dynasty”repaying your debt to the ruling dynasty”
Zhuge Liang: Sleeping Dragon
Before Liu Bei’s visit: did not want to be a slaughtered animal used for a sacrifice (p.128)
Close friends discouraged Liu Bei from asking Zhuge Liang to serve because it would be a futile attempt for Zhuge to try to reverse heaven’s decree (p.134)
top related