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.

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Apr 10th, 12:00 AM Apr 10th, 12:00 AM

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.