Paper on Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong - Essay Example

War breaks out because of questions regarding the legitimacy of succession. As a consequence China subdivides into three major branches with Cao Cao reigning in the north, Sun Quan ruling in the south, and Liu Bei controlling the west sector of China. The Romance of Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong is a classic historical novel dealing with the power struggles within the Han dynasty which inevitably precipitate its collapse. An intricately woven book integrating historical accurate events merged with creative fiction, this book centers on themes such as brotherhood, art of war and religion.

      This novel also weaves in elements of Confucianism whose doctrines are based principally on The Mandate of Heaven. The Mandate of Heaven marks the transition from the Shang dynasty (1766-1122 BCE) to the Zhou dynasty (1122-256 BCE) violation of the macrocosmic concepts: through corruption, immortality, and misrule led to Shang's deposition from power by the Zhou Dynasty, Heaven reserved the right to interpose in the microcosm especially when discord threatens. Political corruption made the emperor, also called the son of heaven unfit to rule therefore, the Mandate of Heaven can be legally transferred to another who was better and morally qualified.

The Mandate of Heaven encapsulates the main principles of principles of Confucianism : ren (benevolence), xiao (filial piety), and li(propriety and convention), which secured harmony and equilibrium with the macrocosms (nature and heaven) and the microcosm (man's affairs). It is through application of the principle of the Mandate of Heaven that the Han dynasty is overthrown. Zhang Jiao was the catalyst in the Yellow Turban Rebellion in 184 A.D. Jiao began the revolution to undermine and collapse the Han Dynasty due to social injustices experienced by citizens.

      Daoism constitutes a large part of the novel since its ideals and teachings are practiced by the characters of The Romance of Three Kingdoms. Daoism is a pacific religion which stands for order and harmony with nature and with man. This concept is mirrored in the affirmation that that state of being "in accord with nature is (being) in accord with Dao." There exist compatibility, coexistence and harmony with opposite natures and this relation is called harmonious dualism. Zhuge Liang is an educated Taoist scholar who personifies some of the principles of Daoism.

Dao which is "divine and everlasting" means "the way of nature and the cosmos" thus one sees the bond between the universe and man. Zhuge acts as an emissary, diplomat and successful martial strategist to Sun Quan.  Zhuge Liang, as a Daoist peacekeeper, pacifies several warlords in the South, at the same time, he spearheads the Shu Han forces on expeditions to strengthen the Han empire. He never dies on the battle field but succumbs to tubercolosis. Zhuge Liang's strategies always triumphs as he continually foils the plans of his adversaries.

      The Romance of Three Kingdoms incorporates tenets from another Chinese classical text, The Art of War written by Sun Tzu, a notable Chinese general who explains the importance of the war to the state and gives pithy advice on martial techniques on how to maneuver one's army to secure victory. The Battle of Xiaoting, the Battle of Red Cliffs and the Battle of Wuzhang Plains are noteworthy collisions in the novel in which various arts of war are implemented. Lu Bu observes that "Cao Cao knows something of the art of war" (Guanzhong 90).

In the Art of War, moral