In Biography of Gaozu and Biography of Xiang Yu, Sima Qian used a lot of detailed language to describe the characters, which was very personal. For example, Xiang Yu saw Qin Shihuang's southern tour and blurted out, "He can take a place." Liu Bang apologized and said, "This is what Pei Gong Sajima and Cao Wushang said." It serves to show his straightforward personality, and Liu Bangguan Qin Shihuang said in one breath: "Hey! A gentleman should be like this! " The words are euphemistic and tortuous, which can control his feelings and write his generous and generous character, although the weather is extraordinary.
At the Hongmen banquet, Fan Zeng asked Xiang Zhuang to stab Pei Gong with his sword and said, "... if you don't do this, you will be caught." Later, when Liu Bang fled, he said, "Those who took the title of Xiang Wang were praised repeatedly." . I belong to this! "Shows his wily character.
Second, the combination of positive description with profile description and close-up highlights the characters.
In Historical Records, Sima Qian used a combination of frontal description and profile description to describe characters. For example, Xiang Yu killed Qing Zi champion Yi Song, which was an internal struggle of the rebel army, and this war was related to the success or failure of the anti-Qin struggle. As a general of the rebel army, he didn't save Zhao at the critical moment. The reason is very impressive. In fact, he is stealing peace and even has other plans.
As the second general, Xiang Yu saw through his intention, made a decisive decision, killed Yi Song, seized the military power and turned the situation around. In Sima Qian's works, Xiang Yu showed his outstanding knowledge and determination, as well as his ambition to care for the people and shoulder the heavy responsibility of national security. There is also "the most proud battle of Xiang Yu"-the battle of Julu, and Xiang Yu led the troops to cross the river. "Chu soldiers are invincible."
Look at the reaction of the warlord army. "The warlord saved more than ten walls from the stag, so he didn't dare to fight. When Chu attacked Qin, all the generals looked at it from the wall. " "All the princes and the army were afraid." "So Qin Jun was broken, and Xiang Yu called people and entered Yuanmen. They all knelt down and dared not look up. "This battle, wrote the spirit of xiang yu not afraid of the strong enemy, strong fighting spirit, dare not fight, vassal soldiers who fear, also set off his heroism.
Third, use the method of comparison and contrast.
This technique is used to describe Li Guang in Historical Records Biography of General Li. In order to highlight the characteristics of Li Guang's troops, Sima Qian wrote that Cheng did not understand the style of troops. Li Guang's troops are characterized by broad and simple "marching without a department" and "writing books in Mofu province", which is almost inaction. Cheng doesn't know how to lead the army, but he is very strict. He meticulously "walked in the forefront, fought in the army" and "beat Diao Dou". Against the background of ignorance, the characteristics of safflower and green leaves and Li Guang troops are particularly conspicuous and prominent.
Combining leniency with severity is just a different style of running the army. At that time, Li Guang and Cheng of Hanbian County were both famous soldiers. However, the Huns were afraid of Li Guang. "The foot soldiers are also happy to come from Li Guang, and the journey is hard." The reflection of Xiongnu and foot soldiers reveals the author's tendentiousness, and readers' admiration for Li Guang arises unconsciously. In Biography of General Lee, it is to set off Li Guang's irrelevant ignorance about Li Guang.
When Sima Qian writes about Li Guang's misfortune, he will compare it with Li Guang: "Cai is an inferior person and his reputation is far spread;" But you can't be a knight, the official is nine Qing, Cai is a rank, and the position is three. " Cai Li is Li Guang's younger brother, so he can be regarded as an inferior person. As far as the nine categories are concerned, he belongs to the eighth category and has no ability, but he rose to the top, prospered in his official career and was appointed as prime minister.
Li Guang fought against the Huns for more than 40 years, and after more than 70 wars, he made great contributions, and even the Huns were in awe, calling him "the flying general of the Han Dynasty". However, such a famous soldier was "forbidden to be knighted", even framed and finally forced to commit suicide. In contrast, Li Guang's tragic fate has been written in detail, and the irrationality of the employment system and the reward and punishment system has also been deeply exposed.
Fourth, show characters in conflicts.
Sima Qian vividly and concretely wrote the contradictions and conflicts between the characters, reappearing the tense and changeable scenes, in which the characters were exposed completely and their respective personalities were brought to the extreme. For example, in the "Hongmen Banquet" in Xiang Yu's Biography, the author chose the scene of Hongmen, which is calm on the surface and full of dangers in reality, so that many characters can show their distinct personalities in the infighting and mutual set-off. Liu Bang's tactfulness and treachery, Xiang Yu's frankness and lack of ingenuity, Sean's farsightedness and calmness, Fan Zeng's intolerance and impatience, Fan Kuai's generosity and boldness, and Xiang Bo's kindness and ignorance are all vivid.
In the Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru, Sima Qian described in detail the tense scenes and sharp contradictions and conflicts in the "Return to Zhao in a Perfect Way" and "Mianchi Meeting". In the hall of the king of Qin, facing the situation that the king of Qin wanted to break the contract, Lin Xiangru was resourceful and scheming in the face-to-face struggle, and always took the initiative in his own hands.
At Mianchi meeting, the king of Qin insulted the king of Zhao with his strong national strength, but Lin Xiangru was unmoved and sternly opposed, risking his life to safeguard national dignity. Faced with the pressure from Lian Po, Lin Xiangru gave in, which not everyone can do. In the sharp contradictions and conflicts, the image of Lin Xiangru's ardent patriotic feelings, not afraid of sacrifice, willing to be wronged, open-minded and noble character, has both wisdom and courage that ordinary people dare not and are unwilling to do.
Fifth, the application of cross-examination method.
When Sima Qian wrote Historical Records, he should not only highlight the personality characteristics of the characters, but also maintain the integrity of the characters and the authenticity of history. He adopted the method of "getting to know each other" when sorting out the materials. The characters in the background events are basically the same, and the materials are almost intertwined. Sima Qian described characters with his own personality according to the needs of describing characters, and historical facts brought out the best in each other. This is the "mutual understanding method".
For example, Biography of Wei Gongzi mainly shows Xin's "benevolence and corporal", but Xin does not always insist on this point. Wei Qi of Wei Xiang once beat Fan Ju. Later, Fan Ju became Qin Xiang and wanted revenge. Wei Qi has nowhere to hide. In order to save Wei Qi, Zhao Xiang Yuqing and Wei Qi took refuge in Xinlingjun together. However, New Ling Jun was afraid of the State of Qin and did not receive them in time. As a result, Wei Qi "committed suicide in anger".
If this matter is written into the biography of Wei Gongzi, it will inevitably damage the image of Xinlingjun. Therefore, Sima Qian wrote it into Fan Ju Cai Zezhuan. This not only highlights the new characteristics of the characters, but also does not damage the integrity of the characters, maintains the authenticity of history, and truly achieves "no exaggeration" and "no concealment".