Ouyang Xiu wrote many epitaphs in his life. From these epitaphs, we can see Ouyang Xiu's evaluation criteria for characters. Next, we will introduce Ouyang Xiu's epitaphs in detail.
In his epitaph, Zhang Ziye is described in this way. Ziye is short for Zhang Ziye. He said: Ziye looks happy on the outside, but he is a hard worker. He is honest and low-key, but he is noble and virtuous, and he dares to make decisions when he meets things. He always drinks when he is working outside. When he took off his hat, his hair was bald and white on both sides, which made people sigh that he was so young that he was old before he got old. Having said that, as long as he is happy inside. His ancestors were Kaifeng people, and three generations were buried there. He is also a fallen leaf! This is the epitaph written by Ouyang Xiu for Zhang Ziye, which is easy to understand. In just a few words, his personality characteristics and past work style are clearly described.
From the above, I believe you probably know how he wrote epitaphs for others. He has written epitaphs for several people, the most famous of which is Fan Zhongyan's storm. Since then, he has never dared to write epitaphs for others easily. Because of Fan Zhongyan's special status and his great respect for Fan Zhongyan, it took him more than a year to revise and revise this epitaph. As a result, when Fan's family wrote it and handed it to them for a purpose, they were furious. How could Ouyang Xiu write it like this? What they mean is to write a good side and exaggerate the dead. However, Ouyang Xiu is realistic and thinks it is very important to record a person's life in a realistic way, which can let the living see the real dead and also serve as a warning to future generations.
This is the purpose of Ouyang Xiu's epitaph. At the same time, we can see his principle of being a man, and he will not say hello just because we have a good relationship. This is what our sages deserve our respect.
Ouyang Xiuzi, one of the eight famous poets in Tang and Song Dynasties
China has been a civilized country since ancient times, and it pays great attention to respecting the old and caring for the young, and maintaining traditions. In ancient times, people were very strict about their names, especially those with status, whether men or women, would take a word when they reached adulthood, so that others could call them and get their respect. Ordinary peers and subordinates can only call their brothers and elders by their first names. In addition to their names, some people will give themselves a nickname, and others will give them a nickname, which has nothing to do with their names. For example, Zhuge Liang, the word Kongming, the number is Wolong; Su Shi, whose name is Zi Zhan, is Dongpo layman; Another example is Li Bai, whose word is too white and whose name is violet layman. And Ouyang Xiu, whose name is Yong Shu, was called Drunken Weng. In his later years, he gave himself another name, "Six-One Lay Man". So what does Ouyang Xiu mean?
As for Ouyang Xiu's words, some scholars understand it this way: the names and words of the ancients all have certain connections with each other, which may be similar in meaning, opposite in meaning or connected in meaning. The words "Xiu and Yong" have long meanings, but their respective emphases are different. "Xiu" mainly focuses on the concept of space, while "Yong" focuses on the concept of time. The word "uncle" is used by ancient people to rank, "Bo" means the eldest, "Zhong" means the second, "Uncle" means the third and "Ji" means the fourth. For example, Sun Quan is the second child in the family, so the word Zhong Mou. For example, Cao Cao, Meng De, Fu and Cao Cao all mean moral integrity, and Meng is also used for ranking. So people infer that Ouyang Xiu may be the third in the family, and his family wants him to live for a long time, so they named him "Uncle Yong".
In ancient times, Chinese characters were written to show respect to others. Ouyang Xiu had a great influence in the literary world at that time and in later generations, so people either called him the font size or addressed him as "Ou Gong".
An analysis of the characteristics of Ouyang Xiu's prose
Scholars of all ages played an extremely important role in promoting cultural development and literary exchanges at that time, especially those among literary masters. For example, the earliest Book of Songs, Qu Yuan's Li Sao in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Cao Cao's and Cao Zhi's poetry creation in the Han Dynasty, and then the calligraphy and poems in the Tang Dynasty. In the Northern Song Dynasty, that was the ocean of poetry and prose, and Ouyang Xiu was the famous literary leader in the Song Dynasty.
Ouyang Xiu's achievements in poetry and prose are particularly remarkable, especially his prose, which has a novel style and a unique style, and has become an example of various prose creation. What are the characteristics of Ouyang Xiu's prose? What is unique? First of all, in terms of content, Ouyang Xiu's prose is both argumentative, narrative and lyrical, all of which are written by what he sees, feels and does, and all of which have substance in words and have a reason. Secondly, in form, his prose is diverse in subject matter, rich in content, fluent in language, natural and tactful, full of sound and emotion, and very practical. Finally, in the rhythm and aesthetic feeling of the whole text, his prose is also very rhythmic. In his lyric and narrative prose, no matter describing mountains and rivers or describing things, it is vivid, touching, distinct and harmonious in rhythm. Whether it is his prose, poems and notes, we can all feel the unique style and practical significance of his articles, which run through all his articles and show his talent and achievements in creation.
Ouyang Xiu is a famous literary master in the Northern Song Dynasty, and he is also a righteous and innovative man who will be remembered in later generations. His position and achievements in the history of literature are unshakable, and it is also worth studying and commemorating.