Event Title
Hollywood vs. History: An Analysis of the Historicity of Characters in the Battle at Red Cliff
Presentation Type
Panel
Presenter Major(s)
Chinese Studies
Mentor Information
Curtis Smith
Department
Modern Languages and Literatures
Location
Kirkhof Center Area 51
Start Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
Keywords
Changing Ideas/Changing Worlds, Culture, Historical Perspectives, Philosophy/ Literature, War and Peace, World Perspective
Abstract
Method: We will use primary historical and literary sources that mention the Battle of Red Cliff, such as the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and the "History of the Three Kingdoms," as well as secondary sources, such as the film "Red Cliff," to analyze the key characters to determine what can be considered fact, and what should be considered fiction. The figures that will be the focus of our research are Zhou Yu, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Zhuge Liang. The research will include first-hand translation of the original Chinese texts. Thesis: Although there is reason to believe there is some historical truth to the romanticized telling of the Battle of Red Cliff, we believe that a considerable amount of the information is purely fictional and/or grossly exaggerated when compared to the records of the actual event. Presentations will analyze the evolution of the representation of major figures in the Battle of Red Cliff, examining cultural and social changes represented by these changes.
Hollywood vs. History: An Analysis of the Historicity of Characters in the Battle at Red Cliff
Kirkhof Center Area 51
Method: We will use primary historical and literary sources that mention the Battle of Red Cliff, such as the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and the "History of the Three Kingdoms," as well as secondary sources, such as the film "Red Cliff," to analyze the key characters to determine what can be considered fact, and what should be considered fiction. The figures that will be the focus of our research are Zhou Yu, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Zhuge Liang. The research will include first-hand translation of the original Chinese texts. Thesis: Although there is reason to believe there is some historical truth to the romanticized telling of the Battle of Red Cliff, we believe that a considerable amount of the information is purely fictional and/or grossly exaggerated when compared to the records of the actual event. Presentations will analyze the evolution of the representation of major figures in the Battle of Red Cliff, examining cultural and social changes represented by these changes.