The Wife of Duke Zhuang of Li was a princess of the state of Wei. Her name remains unrecorded, but her story lives on.[1] The Wife of Duke Zhuang of Li was in a loveless marriage and was neglected. Yet, The Wife of Duke Zhuang of Li remained faithful to her husband despite the obstacles.[2] Thus, many scholars have praised her for her dedication to a husband who did not value her.[3]
It is unknown when The Wife of Duke Zhuang of Li was born. She lived during the Spring and Autumn period, which lasted from 771 to 453 B.C.E. During this period, Chinese states were declaring their own independence from the ruling Zhou Dynasty to form their own dynasties.[4] The Wife of Duke Zhuang of Li was a princess of the state of Wei.[5] Her father was the Archer-Lord of Wei. Both her father’s and her names are unknown.
The Princess of Wei had an arranged marriage to Duke Zhuang of Li. Li was a small state that was next to Wei and is located in modern-day Shaanxi Province.[6] Once the Princess of Wei reached Li, Duke Zhuang of Li never received her, and he completely ignored her.[7] He had no concubines.[8] Therefore, historians believe that he had a preference for men and not women.[9] Her governess told the Princess of Wei to return home to her natal family.[10] However, the Princess of Wei refused. She wanted to fulfil her duties as a faithful wife.[11] She said, “Although [he] has not treated me as his wife, how can I depart from the duty of a faithful wife?”[12]
The Princess of Wei remained in Li.[13] She continued to be neglected and never even saw her husband, Duke Zhuang of Li.[14] Thus, it is clear that she had no children.[15] It is unknown when or how she died.[16]
The Wife of Duke Zhuang of Li has captured the sympathy of many writers and scholars.[17] There is even a poem written about her titled “Shi Wei” in The Book of Songs.[18] Even though Duke Zhuang of Li did not appreciate her and was cold to her, the Princess of Wei was willing to be a faithful wife to him. The Wife of Duke Zhuang of Li’s story has been seen as a model example to Confucian scholars.[19] Women must remain loyal to their husbands even if they are stuck in loveless marriages.[20]
Sources:
Cook, C. A. (2015). “Duke Zhuang of Li’s Wife”. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. – 618 C.E. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp. 15-16.
Eno, R. (2010). 1.7. Spring and Autumn China (771-453). Indiana University, PDF.
O’Hara, A. R. (1971). The Position of Woman in Early China: According to the Hieh Nü Chuan, “The Biographies of Chinese Women”. Taiwan: Mei Ya Publications.
Liu, X., Kinney, A. B. (2014). Exemplary Women of Early China: The Lienü Zhuan of Liu Xiang. United Kingdom: Columbia University Press.
[1] Cook, 2015
[2] Cook, 2015
[3] Cook, 2015
[4] Eno, 2010
[5] Cook, 2015
[6] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[7] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[8] Cook, 2015
[9] Cook, 2015
[10] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[11] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[12] Cook, 2015, p. 15; O’Hara, 1971 p. 109
[13] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[14] Liu & Kinney, 2014
[15] Cook, 2015
[16] Cook, 2015
[17] Cook, 2015
[18] Cook, 2015
[19] Cook, 2015
[20] Cook, 2015
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