Self-satirical poetry in the second half of the 19*11 century - The mature State of Vietnamese satirical literature

Abstract

By the second half of the 19th century, Vietnamese satirical literature had evolved into a distinct literary genre, with self-satirical poetry, where poets use themselves as subjects of satire, emerging as a notable phenomenon. This sub-genre reflected the poets’ self-awareness of their individuality and the limitations of societal roles amidst historical challenges. Self-satirical poetry was prominently found in the works of Nguyễn Khuyến and Trần Tế Xương, who represented the intellectual class of their era and deeply understood the tragedies of their time and their personal struggles amidst historical upheavals. With its achievements in reflective content and artistic expression, self-satirical poetry marked the maturity of Vietnamese satirical literature in the late 19th century. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the contributions of satirical literature to the development of Vietnamese literature and offers insights into the literary and cultural landscape of the late medieval period.