Where did poetry first appear? What did it mean in the sentence at that time? Is it "poetry expressing aspiration" or "poetry is a record of language"?

"Poetry expresses aspiration" is the understanding of China ancient literary critics on the essential characteristics of poetry. The idea of "expressing ambition with poetry" has sprouted in the author's description of the purpose of writing poetry in The Book of Songs. As a theoretical term, it was first mentioned in Zuo Zhuan's Twenty-seven Years of "xianggong" that Zhao Wenzi told Xiang Shu to "express his ambition through poetry". Later, the saying that "poetry expresses ambition" became more common. Shun said in "Yao Dian of Shangshu": "Poetry expresses ambition, songs are eternal, sounds are eternal, and law is harmonious." "Zhuangzi Tianxiapian" said: "Poetry is based on Tao." "Xunzi Confucianism" said: "Poetry is its ambition."

The meaning of "poetry expressing ambition" mentioned by various factions is not exactly the same. The so-called "expressing ambition with poetry" in Zuo Zhuan means "expressing ambition with poetry", that is, borrowing or extending some chapters in the Book of Songs to imply one's political and religious embrace. "Poetry expresses ambition" in Yao Dian refers to "poetry expresses the poet's ambition", and the meaning of this "ambition" focuses on thoughts, ambitions and aspirations. After the mid-Warring States period, the meaning of "ambition" gradually expanded due to the emphasis on lyric characteristics of poetry and the development of a hundred schools of thought contending. The "ambition" in Confucius' era mainly refers to political aspirations, which can be seen from Confucius' views on disciples' aspirations in The Analects of Confucius. And Zhuangzi's "ambition" that "poetry is based on Tao" refers to people's thoughts, wishes and feelings in a general sense. In Li Sao, it is said that "to bend people's hearts to control their ambitions" and "to save people's lives to control their ambitions". Although the content of this ambition is still dominated by Qu Yuan's political ideal ambition, it obviously contains anger and hatred for villains caused by the failure of political ideal ambition. As for what he said in Huai Sha, "If you care about your feelings, you will be anxious, but if you are wronged, you will be restrained." "Since you are determined to make progress, why should you be afraid?" ? The "ambition" here actually refers to all his inner thoughts, wishes and feelings. It can be seen that the content of "poetry expressing ambition" in the pre-Qin period developed and changed. By the Han dynasty, people's understanding of the essential characteristics of poetry, that is, "poetry expresses people's thoughts and feelings and presents people's spiritual world", basically became clear. "Preface to Mao Poetry" says: "The poet's ambition lies in his heart, his words are poems, his emotions are in the middle, and his words are in form." Emotions are put together and linked, which is more pertinent and objective. Edit the contemporary interpretation of this paragraph.

Because of the rich content of "ambition" itself and the different emphasis of understanding and choice, the opposition between "expressing ambition" and "destiny" in later poetic theories is caused. The theory of "poetry expressing ambition" has evolved into two schools: emphasizing reason and emotion. The rationalist school emphasizes the political enlightenment of poetry, but often ignores the artistic characteristics of literature; On the other hand, the sentimental school emphasizes the lyrical characteristics of poetry and attaches importance to the discussion of the artistic laws of poetry. However, looking back at the history of literature, the mainstream of understanding the connotation of "ambition" in "poetry expressing ambition" is to pay equal attention to emotion. From Preface to Mao Poetry to Liu Xie, Kong and Bai Juyi, and even to Ye Xie and Wang Fuzhi in Qing Dynasty. They emphasize that poetry should not only reflect reality and serve education, but also attach importance to its social role; It is also necessary to express feelings and aspirations, blend feelings and things, and highlight its lyricism; Pay equal attention to emotion, utility and artistry will not be neglected. It should be said that this understanding of "poetry expressing ambition" is more in line with the essential characteristics and practical functions of poetry, so it is generally accepted by people.