The Song Dynasty was a period of great prosperity for the ci genre in Chinese literary history. The development of Song ci went through a process from germination to maturity, which can be roughly divided into two stages. These two stages not only represent the chronological order, but also reflect the evolution and deepening of the artistic style of Song ci. This article will explore the two stages and their characteristics of the development of Song ci.

I. The Ci of the Northern Song Dynasty

The Northern Song Dynasty marked the first stage of the development of Song ci. During this period, ci inherited the style of the late Tang and Five Dynasties, focusing on expressing personal emotions. The style was sentimental and elegant, with a hint of boldness. Representative ci writers of the early Northern Song Dynasty, such as Yan Shu and Ou Yang Xiu, inherited the traditions of previous generations artistically but paid more attention to expressing personal emotional experiences in their works. Over time, in the mid-Northern Song Dynasty, ci writers emerged who represented the bold style, with Su Shi as the representative. Their works were more free and unrestrained artistically, and their emotional expressions were more direct and profound.

II. The Ci of the Southern Song Dynasty

The Southern Song Dynasty marked the second stage of the development of Song ci. The ci style of this period differed significantly from that of the Northern Song Dynasty. Ci writers began to pursue more delicate and restrained artistic expressions, forming a new elegant school represented by Zhou Bangyan and Jiang Kui. Ci writers of the Southern Song Dynasty paid more attention to skills and neatness in form, with stronger musicality. At the same time, they also paid more attention to expressing concerns about the country and society in their works. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, with the intensification of social contradictions, a group of ci writers emerged who reflected the changes of the times and expressed their concern for the country and the people, such as Xin Qiji and Lu You. Their works were full of passion and strength, showing another side of the Song ci world.

Conclusion:

The development of Song ci experienced a transformation from the elegant boldness of the Northern Song Dynasty to the new elegant school of the Southern Song Dynasty. The ci styles of these two stages respectively represent different aspects of the artistic charm of Song ci. The boldness and directness of Northern Song ci and the delicacy and restraint of Southern Song ci together constitute the unique artistic charm of Song ci, influencing the creation of countless scholars in later generations. Song ci is not only a treasure of literature but also an important window to understand the society and culture of the Song Dynasty. By understanding these two stages, we can appreciate the charm of Song ci more deeply and feel the voices and emotional world of ci writers in that era.

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