Mitch Fearing
Yang Guifei / Yang Kuei-fei
I. Yang Guifei
A. Born as Yang Yuhuan in 719
B. When Yang is 16 she marries Emperor Xuanzong’s son, 16 year old Prince Shou Li Mei
C.
In 737 Emperor Xuanzong’s wife Wu Huifei dies enabling the
Emperor to pursue his infatuation with Yang Yuhuan
D.
Yang separates from her husband, the Prince because of orders from Emperor
Xuanzong and becomes a nun in Taizhen
E. Takes the name Yang Guifei (Precious Consort Yang) and joins the household of Emperor Xuanzong
F. Has close relations with the General of Turkish decent, An Lushan, who she eventually adopts as her son in 751
G. Continues to have relations with An Lushan until 755, when the rebellion begins
H.
Flees the capital with Emperor Xuanzong to
II. Importance of Yang Guifei
A. Blamed for the decline of the Tang dynasty because the Emperor neglected his affairs of state in order to pursue his concubine, Yang Guifei
B. Her beauty caused changes in fashion for women, for example roundness was considered beautiful and hair styles change (i.e. Cara’s presentation)
C.
Her love story with the Emperor and its tragic end is a source of poetry,
paintings, plays, books, and even a movie
III. Conclusion
A.
Her beauty, as well as her relation with Emperor Xuanzong influenced the future
of women in China and the eventual demise of the Tang dynasty