反照病身：論韓愈《譴瘧鬼》詩學意義及後世影響

Observing the Sick Body: On the Poetic Significance of Han Yu’s “Condemning the Malaria Ghost”

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.

古人畏瘧，相關記載多見於經史子部，詩歌書寫則始於唐。韓愈首創五古《譴瘧鬼》，遠承杜詩，近取諸身，描繪人鬼交鋒，細寫瘧鬼來歷、癥候與醫方，並勸其歸家，各自安好。詩中責問瘧鬼，帶有遊戲質素，而敢於指認病痛，亦紓解身心，宋至清代廣受共鳴，後世多有仿效，不惟使事用典，亦效譴瘧詩式，可探讀者接受意義。取效類型大致有三：一爲承襲人鬼交鋒情節，病中抒懷，也結合杜詩驅瘧典故，突顯文學治療效果；二爲自嘲自解，或受儒家之自持，或得佛家之超脱，或取道家之達觀，以轉念與病共存，重新思索疾病的意義；三爲通過仿寫，訓誡瘧鬼，遠紹韓愈人格，展現道德主體。《譴瘧鬼》在命題、形式與情思上皆具開創性，確立以詩驅瘧的修辭策略，成爲後人分享情感與生命體驗的平台，展現“蚌病成珠”的詩學意義。

The ancients feared malaria, believing it to be caused by the entanglement of malaria ghosts, imbued with a sense of mystery. Although frequently mentioned in literature of the classical studies, history, and philosophy genres, it was not until the Tang dynasty that poems with titles such as “Malarial Disease” or “Malaria Ghost” began to appear. Han Yu, inheriting the poetic tradition of Du Fu, observed his own body and, for the first time, composed the poem “Condemning the Malaria Ghost.” In the poem, he establishes a fictional world of human-ghost confrontation, narrating the origin, symptoms, and treatment methods of the malaria ghost. Finally, he advises the malaria ghost to return home and wishes everyone well. Han Yu condemns the malaria ghost in poetic form, incorporating elements of playfulness and courageously confronts illness, which helps to alleviate both physical and mental distress. It resonated with many readers from the Song to the Qing dynasties, often used in allusions or inspiring imitations. Therefore, the significance of its reception by readers can be explored. Poets in later generations imitated Han Yu's work in three ways: first, by inheriting the plot of human-ghost confrontation, expressing emotions through illness, and combining the anecdote of “using Du Fu’s poetry to drive away malaria ghosts” to enhance the therapeutic effect of literature. Second, through self-mockery and self-consolation, drawing variously on Confucian self-discipline, Buddhist transcendence, or Daoist detachment to coexist with illness and reconsider its meaning. Third, by imitating the writing style, poets admonished the malaria ghost, inheriting Han Yu’s personal image, promoting moral agency and embodying the spirit of Han Yu’s “Condemnation of the Malaria Ghost.” In summary, Han Yu’s “Condemnation of the Malaria Ghost” is innovative in its theme, form, lyricism, and thought. It establishes rhetorical strategies to expel malaria ghosts through poetry and serves as a platform for later literati to share emotions and showcase diverse life experiences. The poem holds rich poetic significance.