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Gendered double standard China is one of the most ancient countries of world civilization with 4000 year-history. Every history reflects the life, customs and traditions of people that create it. Comparing of different historical figures belonging to the same nation gives an opportunity to trace the historical events and the development of civilization. In this essay we will examine Chinese traditional historians employed a gendered double standard to evaluate historical figures using the cases of Emperor Taizong, Emperor Xuanzong, Empress Wu, and Yang Guifei. Gendered double standard appears to have existed in any culture. Traditional ideas associate women with canons of domesticity, femininity, beauty, housekeeping, wisdom.
The same standards usually provide men with courage and manliness. They traditionally should be deviant and show strength of their manhood. However, extraordinary types such as Manlike women and womanlike men exist in the world history. Emperor Taizong Emperor Taizong (January 23, 599 AD July 10, 649) known as Li Shimin has shown himself as a progressive politician who brought China to the epoque of flourishing and prosperity. He was described as the example of manhood.
Emperor Taizong was a born military man. At the age of sixteen he rescued Emperor Yang from the Turkish ambush. At the age of eighteen he helped his father to organize military operations against Sui regime. The army under commandment of Li Shimin and his brother Li Jiancheng won the victory and later proclaimed the epoque of new Dynasty- the Tang Dynasty (June 18, 618 June 4, 907 AD). Emperor Xuanzong Emperor Tang Xuanzong (September 8, 685 AD May 3, 762 AD) known as Tang Minghuang was the sixth emperor of Tang Dynasty. Emperor Tang Xuanzong wasnt a military man.
On the contrary to Emperor Taizong, Emperor Xuanzong was passive tender-hearted person. He was known for his love to art and his love to Yang Guifei. He rebuilt Having Palace near the Listen Mountain. Emperor Tang Xuanzong was up to his eyes in pleasures so he didnt focus much attention on governmental affairs. Court officials took the occasion and took more power into their hands. Xuanzong's passivity resulted in the period of conflicts and political instability.
Empress Wu Empress Wu Zetian (625 AD December 16, 705 AD) known as Wu Zhao was the only female Emperor (690 AD 704 AD) in the whole Chinese history. Wu Zetian's Dynasty lasted for 15 years. Buddhists supported her and called her a reincarnation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. Empress Wu Zetian was skilled intrigante. She discovered herself in numerous intrigues and skillful manipulations. Malicious gossips consider that she killed her own daughter to kick the concubine nee Xiao out of the way to power.
Evidently, Empress Wu couldnt be recognized as the example of femininity. The period of Wus reign was well known for brutal despotism, cruelty and dictatorship. Empress Wu persecuted her enemies without mercy and killed the opponents of the royal family without a qualm of conscience. Empress Wu Zetian was also known for vicious behavior. Yang Guifei Yang Guifei (June 1, 719 AD July 15, 756 AD) known as Yang Yuhuan was one of the Four Chinese Beauties.
In contrast to the Empress Wu, Yang Guifei was the embodiment of Beauty in the ancient China. Chinese historians describe her very beautiful woman. They say, Emperor Xuanzong loved her so much that he lost control and completely neglected state affairs. Their love-story have been a most popular theme for numerous Chinese poets (Bai Just Song of Everlasting Sorrow, Chen Hong, etc).
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Research essay sample on Tang Dynasty Historical Figures
