Verse in a Time of Turmoil: Poetry as History in the Tây Sơn Period

Poetry has long been overlooked as a source for writing about and interpreting Vietnamese history. However, it proves to be a very valuable guide for investigating the troubled world of late 18th century Vietnam, and particularly the Tay Son upheavals, which are reflected in an extensive and diverse body of surviving poetry. This article demonstrates, through various types of poems from this period, the potential that verse holds as an important historical source, and offers numerous excerpts from a range of poems that served as records of events, laments for fallen soldiers, political commentaries, and as a type of weapon in personal and political confrontations. By examining poetry, historians can begin to explore the thoughtworlds of this era, and move away from studies of military and diplomatic events.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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