From official history autobiography to “YanYi novel” - characterisation of Zhuge Liang

Abstract

The difference between a historical work and a literature novel is not always that between fact and fiction but the difference in fictional levels (in the broadest sense of the word). On this basis, it can be realised that many researchers have analysed the character of Zhuge Liang without making it clear whether they have got the information about him from historical books or literary fictions, and whether they have figured him as a real life person and historical figure or literary character and that they have discussed Zhuge Liang - making up information. With this recognition and the awareness of the special characteristics of the saga by Luo Guanzhong, this paper has differentiated Zhuge Liang as a historical figure from Zhuge Liang as a literary character (an ever-changing, immortal fiction one).