During the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), a new style --Fu(poetry in the Han Dynasty) -- emerged. The nameFuoriginated from the articleFu Pianwritten by Xun Qing of the Zhao Kingdom in the Warring States Period (475-221BC). Later,Fuwas designated a formal style.Fuis very particular in its literary grace and cadence, possesses qualities of both poetry and prose, and is written in the form of questions and answers.
The development ofFuwent through three stages. FamousFuworks of the Han Dynasty included Jia Yi'sLament for Qu YuanandOde to the Roc, and Sima Xiangru's (179-118BC)Master VoidandShanglinfrom the early Western Han Dynasty (205BC-8AD); Yang Xiong's (53-18BC)On Sweet Spring,On the Plume Hunt,Ode to ChangyangandOde to Hedong, and Ban Gu'sOde to the Two Capitals, from the late Western Han Dynasty; and Zhang Heng's (78-139)Ode to Two Capitalswritten in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220).
DespiteFuhas the shortcomings of being gaudy and artificial in its wording, it still keeps a position in the development of literature in China. It helps enlarge the Chinese vocabulary and improve the writing skills.
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