Luo Guanzhong

Luo Guanzhong (Chinese罗贯中/罗贯中) (born Luo Ben (罗 本), * 1330 in Taiyuan or Qiantang; † probably around 1400 in Qiantang ) was a Chinese writer, which from the history of the three kingdoms and the publication of The Robbers Liang Shan -Moor is attributed. These are two of the most important adventure epics of Chinese literature.

Life

About the life of Luo Guanzhong almost nothing is known. From the records of Jia Zhongming (贾仲明), who met him in 1364, we know that he must have lived at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty. He should come from Taiyuan, some literary historians doubt that, however, and suggests, among other things Hangzhou Jiangnan and as his home. According to Meng Fanren (孟繁 仁) Luo Guanzhong appears in the pedigree of the Luo family. Then would be very likely that his hometown Taiyuan.

Recent research has revealed that his date of birth is probably 1315-1318.

Literary historians are not sure whether Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong are the same person, or whether the name was used by the publishers of Outlaws of the Liang Shan -Moor as a pseudonym to be not associated with anti-government motives of his work.

Works

It is believed that the stories that form the core of the story of the Three Kingdoms and The Robbers of Liang Shan -Moor, were independently developed by several narrators. Shi Nai'an is considered the first who compiled the robber as a complete work. Luo Guanzhong brought up the book consists of one hundred chapters form. Luo Guanzhong is generally regarded as the author of The History of Three Kingdoms, Shi Naian but occasionally also suspected as a publisher.

Pingyao Zhuan (平 妖 传) is a ghost story in twenty chapters, is Luo Guanzhong attributed. It originated from stories about an uprising in the late Northern Song Dynasty. Later it was expanded by Feng Menglong (冯梦龙) to 40 chapters.

Can Tang Shi Wudai Yanzhuan (残 唐 五代 史 演义 传) reported by the end of the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms following. It is a compilation of stories about the rebellion of Zhu Wen.

Bibliography

• Romance of the Three Kingdoms
• Outlaws of the Liang Shan -Moor
• Pingyao Zhuan (平 妖 传)
• Sansui Pingyao Zhuan (三 遂平 妖 传)
• Can Tang Shi Wudai Yanzhuan (残 唐 五代 史 演义)
• Fenzhuang Luo (粉 妆 楼)
• Sui Tang Zhizhuan (隋 唐志 传)
• Sui Tang Liangchao Zhizhuan (隋唐 两朝 志 传)